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SECOND ANNUAL TvEPOET 



OF TUE 



WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION, 



ciivci]visr.A.Ti, OHIO. 



CINCINNATI: 

PRINTED AT THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 



R. P. TUOMPSON, PRINTER. 

1865. 



OFFIOEES. 

President rev. ADAM POE, D. D., Agkxt Methodist Book Coxcekn. 

J REV. T>. H. .\LLEN', D. D., Pbesident Laxe Theological Semixary. 
HON. BELLAMY STORER, Judge of Supeeior Court. 
- - ^ RKV. M. L. P. THOMPSON, D.D, Second (N.S.)PuEsiiVTERiAxCHUucii. 

I REV. R.C.GRUNDV.D.D., Central (O.S.) Presbyterian Church. 
V REV.WAYLAND HOYT, Ninth-Street Baptist Cihrcii. 

Treasurer T-F. LARKIN, Firm or Larkin, Fox & Co., Bankers. 

Corresponding Secretary REV. J.M.WALDEN, A.M. 

Bccordin?; Secretary AVILLIAM SUMNER. 

f.eneral .\gent LEVI coffin. 

Auditors rWM.P.NIXON, 

i 11. P. HOPKINS. 



BOARD OF DIREOTOES. 

MTLLIAMPENN NIXON Chairman. 

THOMAS KENNEDY Secretary. 

DR. J. P. WALKER, M. SAWYER, E. HARWOOD, 

B. B. PULLAN, A. D. E. TWEED, JAMES TAYLOR, 

S. C. NEWTON, REV. H. M. STORKS, D. P., REV. WM. C. M'CUNE, 

REV. «. M. MAXWELL, REV. D. H. ALLEN, D. D., REV. R. S. RCST, D. D., 

LEVI COFFIN, J. F. LARKIN, REV. J. M. WALDEX. 



COMMITTEES, 



1. On W'ujs nnd Means.— S. C. Newton, A. D. E. Tweed, Rev. R. S. Rust, R. B. Pvllax, Rev. D. 
II. Allen. 

2. Oij Agenln, Teachers, and Pkysicinns. — Rev. G. M. M.wwei.l, Dr. J. P. Walker, Wm. P. Nixox. 

3. On Home Applications and Freedmen's Home. — Rev. I). H. Allen, James Taylor, E. Harwood, 
Levi (Jokein, M. Sawyer, G. M. JIaxwell. 

4. On Shipments and Transportation. — R. B. I'L'LLAN, Wm. C. M'Cune, E. IIarwood. 

5. On Purchases and Siiles. — M. Sawyer, Thomas Kennedy, Wm. P. Nixon. 

(". On Piihlic Meetings and Lectures. — Rrv. R. S. Rust, Rev. H. M. Storr.-!, Rev. G. M. Maxwell. 

7. Oil AiixUiary Societies. — Rev. G. M. Maxweli, Rev. R. S. Rust, S. C. Newton. 

8. On Printing and PtdiUcation. — Wm. P. Nixon, S. C. Newton, Thomas Kennedy. 
y. Audilitig Commillec.—WM. P. NixoN, Dr. J. P. Walker, Rev. D. II. Allen. 
Tlio CORRCSPONDINQ SECRETARY 18 ex-officio incniber of each of those coniniittoes. 



la; it 



s "^ 



WESTEKlSr 

FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION 



THE ANNUAL MEETING. 

The second annual meeting of tlie Western Freedmen's Aid Com- 
mission was held in tlie First Congregational Churcli, Cincinnati, Ohio, 
on Thursday evening, January 19, 1865. Rev. Adam Poe, D. D., pre- 
sided. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. G. M. Maxwell. 
After the President made some remarks in regard to the general work 
of the Association, the other officers submitted reports, as required by 
the Constitution. 



GENEEAL AGENT'S EEPOET. 

Levi Coffin, the General Agent, being absent. Rev. J. M. Walden 
presented for him the following statement, furnished by Thos. Kennedy, 
the Secretary of the Board of Directors and Assistant of the General 

Agent. 

The Western Freedmen's Aid Commission, through its agents, 
auxiliary societies, and friends of the cause, operating through our 
organisation, has collected, shipped, and distributed the following sup- 
plies for the relief of the freedmen : 

VALUE. 

65,511 Garments for Men, Women, and Children $122,130 

2,523 pairs of Boots and Shoes for Men, Women, and Children 3,150 

1,572 pairs of Socks and Stockings for Men, Women, and Children 315 

2,872 article's of Bedding— mostly Blankets 8,G10 

2,871 pounds of Hospital Supplies, including Medicines 1,435 

8,998 Cooking Utensils and other household implements .«. ^fi^^ 

19 Cooking and Heating Stoves 475 

e,133 yards of new goods 3,005 

342 Farm and Garden implements 1,370 

2,194 pounds of Garden Seeds 2,B50 

50,507 School Books— nearly all new 12,025 

7,874 Slates 850 

By this fair estimate these goods were worth $158,475. The 
total weiii'ht of these shipments was 221 tuns. In addition, we have 



WESTER>J FREEDMEN S AID COMMISSION. 



shipped thirteen portable buildings, and a large amount of clothing and 
other stores for other Associations. 

Dui'ing the year shipments have been made to Chattanooga, Kuox- 
ville, Murfreesboro, Pulaski, Nashville, Gallatin, Clarksville, and Fort 
Donelson, in Tennessee; Huntsville, Alabama; Camp Nelson and Co- 
lumbus, Kentuck)'; Helena, Little Hock, and Duvall's BluflF, Arkansas; 
Cairo, Illinois; Island No. 10, Memphis, President's Island, Yicksburg, 
Natchez, and other points on the Mississippi River. 

These supplies have been received from Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode 
Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 
Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois-, Michigan, and Iowa. Our own 
collections have come mainly from Ohio and Great Britain. 



TREASUREK'S EEPOET. 

J. r. Larkin, Treasurer, presented the following statement in regard 
to the finances of the Commrssiou: 

The receipts and disbursements of the Treasury of the AVestern 
Freedmen's Aid Commission, for the year commencing January 20, 
18G4, and closing January 19, 18G5, have been as follows: 

KECEIPTS. DISBURSEM'TS. 

January, 18G4, (12 daj^s) 5^513 83 ST24 16 

February G45 01 1,247 81 

March 395 76 1,476 95 

April 178 0", 1.44.') 58 

May •_'41 (I'.i 365 31 

Julie 5,0'j7 20 5,570 16 

July 181 85 2,113 15 

Augu.st 3,005 02 834 15 

September 82',) 06 1,857 66 



October • 4, 



(IS 4,420 62 



November 8,346 02 1,114 76 

December 3,024 53 6,632 78 

January, 1865, (10 days) 8,588 78 2,772 78 

Amount received froiu England, Ireland, and Scotland, through the 

instrumentality of the General Agent, Levi Coffin : 

August^ 1864 ! J2.605 17 

October, 1864 3,003 20 

November, 1864 6,.'-)08 63 

December, 1H61 S.IS:} 4() 

January, 1.S65 6,020 55 



Total S23,330 11 

The total receipts for the first year wore S17,27(>.3!?; i'or the second 
year, $30,225.08 — a net increase of 6H),!)48.75. 



CORRESPONDING SECRETARY S REPORT. 



COEEESPOITDING SEOEETAEY'S EEPOET. 

Rev. J. M. Walden, the Correspouding Secretary, presented the 
following : 

The Western Freedmen's Aid Commission was formed by a 
number of Christian men of Cincinnati, on the 19tli of January, 1863. 
It was organized to labor for the physical relief and the mental and 
moral elevation of the then recently emancipated slaves — the national 
freedmen — of our country, who, in the providence of God, through the 
prosecution of the war against the rebellion, were being made accessible 
to the benevolent efforts and Christian charities of the North. Among 
its founders were several well-known ministers of the Gospel, repre- 
senting the principal religious denominations in the West. The prin- 
ciples set forth in the following declarations were adopted to express the 
purposes and guide the operations of the Commission : 

We recognize tlie hand of Divine Pi-ovidence in the emancipation of the 
colored race, so auspiciously begun, and giving promise of the entire and 
speedy overthrow of the system of American slavery ; and we believe that 
the friends of humanity are thereby called to immediate and earnest effort 
to establish an undivided American nation, which shall be based on free labor, 
and free and Christian institutions. 

We will seek to operate under the authority of the Government ; and, 
following the march of the army and in the path of emancipation, relieve, 
so far as possible, the immediate necessities of the freed people, and do what- 
ever else may be required by the condition of society in the South as affected 
by emancipation. 

The rights of those who are declared legally free should, if possible, be 
secured, and they should not be permitted to remain a bux-den upon the country, 
nor be disheartened by abuse or neglect. 

It is, therefore, the fii'st purpose of this Commission, in dealing with the 
freedmen, to aid in supplying their physical wants, and then in providing them 
homes and employment, encouraging their organization into communities, and 
furnishing them such instructions as their case demands, that they may be 
prepared for the duties and privileges of Christian freemen. 

The business of the Commission is intrusted to a Board of Officers 
and Directors. In their behalf the Corresponding Secretary respectfully 
submits the following 



ANNUAL REPORT. 

Statements of our operations have been published occasionally; but 
a year since, at the close of the first year, an annual report was not 



WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 



made. We will, therefore, now submit to tlic public a report more 
general in its character than might have been proper under other 
circumstances, presenting a full view of our work — of the condition 
and wants of the people for whose welfare we labor, the field in which 
we operate, the nature and magnitude of the work, and a summary 
of what Christian beneficence in the North and in Great Britain has 
enabled us to accomplish. 

The P»eople for TVliom ^Ve Labor. 

The terui '-Frecdmen," which we are pleased to notice is passing 
into general use instead of the word "Contraband," is applied to all 
the colored people who have become free, in fact, through the Proclama- 
tion of the President and the successes of the armies of the United 
States. It may be said that there are two classes of freed people : one 
class comprising those who, abandoned by their rebel masters, are found 
in the territory on its occupation by the National troops; the other com- 
prising those who, anxious to be free, have fled from their masters, and 
sought a refuge and protection under our country's flag. Wherever the 
South has been penetrated by our armies, many of the slaves have been 
found hopefully awaiting their coming. With a strange implicit foith 
in the success of the North, they have been ready to hazard even the 
fearful consequences of possible defeat; willing to trust in armed stran- 
gers for food and protection; anxious to be sent to any place within our 
advancing lines where they might be free. 

Sometimes they flock in, after a raiding party, by scores and by 
hundreds — men, women, and children — on foot, and in every kind of 
vehicle to l)e found on their masters' plantations; as for instance, five 
thousand thus came in after General Sherman's columns when he re- 
turned from his raid into Mississippi, and more than two thousand flowed 
down in the wake of the lied lliver Expedition. Similar results have 
attended other movements of our armies. For nearly three years it has 
been tlie policy of the Government to gather these refugees into con- 
traband or frcedmen's camps, whore they are furnished with rations of 
food, and, when practicable, with condemned tents for shelter. Those 
who are uuable to work and provide for themselves continue in these 
camps. 

The able-b(Klied men, who will enter the service of the Government, 
are enlisted as soldiers or employed as laborers. Many of them find 
employment with ofiicers in the army, and with private parties on planta- 
tions and ill otlior pursuits. The wunu-ii who are able to work also 



CORRESPONDING SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



readily find employment. Men and women able to work are often com- 
pelled to seek a temporary home in the camps wlien they first come 
within our lines; but they seldom continue there very long. Degraded 
as they have been by slavery, they still manifest a purpose to support 
themselves in preference to depending solely upon the Government and 
private charities. Hence the inmates of the camps are chiefly women 
with children, orphan children, and the sick, the infirm, and the aged. 
Some of the camps are composed mostly of the families of colored 
soldiers. Such was that at Holly Springs, near Memphis, where, in 
November last, there were some two thousand women, and children, and 
aged persofls, most of whom had sons, husbands, or fathers in the 
ranks of the Union army. For some cause there seems to be less 
disposition to support themselves among this than any other class of the 
freed people, though in the above-named camp they did considerable 
work last season, under the direction of the Superintendent of Freed- 
men. A large proportion of those for whose relief we labor are in the 
camps where the helpless are congregated, among whom the greatest 
destitution and suffering is to be found. These camps are generally 
cheerless and comfortless places; yet in many of them are hundreds, 
and in some of them thousands, of inmates, even after the able-bodied 
have found employment. Although it is known among the slaves that 
they must either support themselves or go into these camps, still they 

come. 

"Why tliey leave their IMasters' Homes. 

It is to be admitted that many in every camp are there from necessity. 
Whole States have been overrun by the contending armies, and large 
sections ^f country have been stripped of every product. Masters have 
abandoned their homes and suffered their plantations to run to waste, 
and, in their hot haste to join their own destinies with the rebellion, 
have taken their able-bodied and best slaves with them, leaving all others 
behind, helpless and unprovided for, either with food or clothing, and 
these, driven by hunger — by fear of death from starvation, or worse than 
death from guerrillas — have come within our lines for food and pro- 



tection 



But a larger proportion of those in the camps, as well as elsewhere 
within our lines, are there from choice — to be beyond the reach of their 
masters and the power and pale of slavery. Vague as their ideas of free- 
dom may be, the freedmen of whatever age, even those who, worn by toil 
and decrepit from age, are no longer expected by their masters to work, 
almost invariably declare their wish to be free. A deep and strong 



8 WESTERN FKEEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 



conviction lias fastened itself on a great number of their untutored minds, 
that in some way this war among the whites is to result in vast benefits 
to the black man and the slave, and that the National flag is to become 
the emblem of their jubilee, and prompted, shall we not believe, by that 
Sjiirit who helps the Christian to feel for those in bondage as bound with 
them, they fly from the scenes of their slavery and seek for freedom, 
though it be found amid all the pi-ivations *of the freedmen's camps. 

C-'onclitioii ill \vliicli they coine. 

Whether the freed people come into the camps from necessity or 
choice — whether they have run away from their masters, or their masters 
from them — whether they be the families of colored Union soldiers, or 
of slave-men who have been hurriedly forced away into remoter portions 
of the seceded States to serve the purposes of the rebellion — they all 
come in the same pitiable and needy condition — they all come destitute 
of clothing, shoes, bedding, and almost every necessary of life. An eye- 
witness, in describing the multitude, already mentioned, that came into 
Vicksburg, has given a faithful picture of these poor creatures, as they 
almost daily may be seen, in squalid throngs, wearily moving to the 
appointed places of refuge. He says: 

"Just at dusk the train of contrabands came in. Slowly and sadly they 
dragged along through the streets. Wagons were loaded with children, whose 
weary, despairing look will haunt me, I believe, as long as I live, with a mother 
or two in each tr^'ing to soothe the little ones crying with liuugcr and futigue, 
all clothed in the dirt-colored homespun they always wear, worn to rags and 
tatters, leaving them, in many cases, almost naked. Hundreds of them had not 
rags enough to be decent. As if Nature sympathized with them in their mis- 
fortunes, the shades of night came on as they passed through the city, and par- 
tially screened from the crowd of gazers this saddening, sickening sight."' 

IMaKnitixde of tlie "Western. "Work. 

The limits of the field for efforts in behalf of the freed people, ulti- 
mately must be coextensive with the territory in which slavery has ex- 
isted. Now tliis work can only Ibllow in the wake of the National army, 
and only be safely and efficiently prosecuted where the country is perma- 
nently repossessed, comprising portions of Virginia, of the Atlantic sea- 
board, and of the jMississi])pi Valley, from Citiro to the Culf The 
AVestcrn Commission confines its labors to the last-named division, a 
section comprising the camj)s in Kentucky, Tennessee, Cieorgia, Ala- 
bama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. 



CORRESPONDING SECRETARIES REPORT. 



At the outbreak of the rebellion there were in the States of Ten- 
nessee, and Arkansas, and those portions of Georgia, Alabama, and 
Mississippi now held by the National forces, and of easy access fur our 
Commission, above nine hundred thousand slaves. It is impossible to 
say how many have been forced away from this section. The larger 
proportion, however, remain, and are not only free, but likewise may 
be reached with the means of relief and the agencies of civilization. 
Within the limits of the new free State of West Virginia there were 
about ten thousand slaves. In Kentucky and Missouri there were three 
hundred and forty thousand slaves, whose status was not affected by the 
Proclamation of Emancipation. Missouri has been made free by the 
action of her people, and is now included in our field of operations. 
Kentucky still holds on to the "peculiar institution;" but it is probable 
that the present Congress will declare the families of colored soldiers to 
be free, in which event our work in that State, now confined chiefly to 
freed people from other States, will be greatly enlarged. 

The Western Commission was organized with special reference to the 
wants, physical and moral, of the freed people in this great Central and 
Westerfl Ptegion. It has an area of two hundred and eighty thousand 
square miles, and, in 1860, had, including twenty-five thousand free 
blacks, a colored population of more than one million, two hundred and 
fifty thousand. This whole region is so easy of access from the free 
States in the Mississippi Valley that it was a plain duty to institute some 
association through which the benevolence of the people in these States 
might operate in behalf of the freedmen. It is well that the work was 
organized in Cincinnati, as the whole slave region in the West, now 
reoccupied by the Government, is most readily reached from this city by 
the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, their navigable tributaries and important 
and connected lines of railway. Louisiana and Texas, with a slave pop- 
ulation in 1860 of more than five hundred thousand, are not mentioned 
above, they being about equally accessible from the east by ocean and 
the west by river navigation; and the successes of the National arms in 
the central and western region have been so rapid that, except to meet 
very urgent appeals, we have not extended our work beyond it. We 
operate at three points in Louisiana. 

T>5'unibei" of iUe X>eslitu.te. 

While the freed people are manifesting a desire and a purpose to do 
for themselves — to labor for their own support, exceeding the most san- 
guine hopes of the friends of humanity, and proving groundless the ap- 



10 WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 

prehensions of the timid and fearful, and even silencing the cavils of the 
opponents of emancipation — while in a section made desolate by a war 
which, in its very nature, disrupts social and civil institutions as no other 
struo-jrle of modern times has done, more than four-fifths of the num- 
ber made free are, in some sort, supporting themselves in whole or in part, 
and while possibly not more than one-tenth are entirely dependent, still 
there is a vast and increasing work for active benevolence to accomplish. 
Small as this proportion of dependent ones may seem in view of all the 
circumstances, still it would give within the limits of our labors from sixty 
thousand to seventy thousand persons. The aggregate of the camps 
within these limits may not, however, even be so great; but amid the 
constant changes it is impossible to make a correct census, and an esti- 
mate can only approximate the number. 

Those who are dependent, if their wants and sufferings be relieved, 
must be supplied by charity with every necessary of life except food. 
They must be furnished with wearing apparel, shoes, stockings, bedding, 
cooking utensils, tin-cups and plates, knives and forks and spoons, and 
other necessary articles. The "contraband ration" is smaller, less varied, 
and inferior to the ample allowance issued by Government to her soldiers. 
Those who are hearty and strong fare well enough ; but corn-meal, hard 
bread, fat pork, and the like, are not suitable food for the feeble and sick 
found in every camp. Hence there is a constant demand fur food, as 
well as medicine and other hospital stores, for the sick. Northern benev- 
olence by its ministries has relieved want and mitigated suffering in every 
camp in the valley of the Mississippi; but the combined efforts of all 
have not. up to this time, met the pressing and multiform demands of 
this needy people, a fact that is sad, though not strange, in view of the 
extent of the work. 

Fanailies of Colored. J^oldiers. 

Among those needing relief often are i'ouiul the wives and children 
of frecdmcu in tlsc ranks ol' the National army. It may pertinently be 
asked, why do not colored soldiers support their families with their earn- 
ings, equally with white soldiers? They do this generally when and where 
they can reach them. But many of the colored men now in our ranks 
were forced from their families by rebel masters, who hoped thereby to re- 
tain and secure tlicni, and, hence, now tlioy do not know where their fami- 
lies are to bo found. Others, who came into our lines with their families, 
have, since their enlistment, had no moans of communicating with them. 
The duties of the soldier may call theui in one direction; their families 



CORRESPONDING SECRETARY'S REPORT. 11 

luay find a refuge and a home only in anotlier direction ; they can not 
keep up a communication, and there is no general system of registration 
to aid them in ascertaining each other's pLice, and hence, in many in- 
stances, when the colored soldier receives his pay he can not share it with 
his fomily. It is also true that they were only paid about half as much 
as white soldiers till this matter was corrected and justice awarded them 
by a recent act of Congress. It must also be borne in mind that when 
freedmen enter the service of our country, they seldom can leave their 
families in homes where they can be secure and receive sympathy and 
relief from a loyal community, and hence, when sick or in need, which 
in their neglected condition must often occur, they are compelled to seek 
an asylum in the "freedmen's camps," and depend upon such relief as 
the provision of the Government and the charities of the North may 
aiford. The same is also true, in every particular, in regard to the fam- 
ilies of freedmen emjiloyed as laborers in the service of the Government. 
To contribute and labor for the relief of other classes of the needy and 
dependent freed people is a work of humanity; but to do this for the 
families of men who are rendering valiant service as soldiers, and doing 
necessary work as laborers, for the country, thereby diminishing, by many 
thousands, the demand upon the North for men, is both humane and 
patriotic — an act of gratitude as well as Christian charity. 

The Work of Helief. 

The first purpose of every society that would really benefit the freed 
people must be to relieve their physical wants by furnishing them such 
necessaries as their case demands, and having them judiciously distributed 
by faithful persons — persons who engage in the work from convictions 
of duty — persons who are actuated by Christian motives and sympa- 
thies. The work of relief, as this Society prosecutes it, is twofold : 

1. Furnishing supplies needed to 7-elieve immediate physical want and 
suffering. 

2. Furnishing the means 2viih tchich the freed people may partially 
or wholly supply their own ivants. 

-A-moiiiat of Supplies Distributed. 

In carrying on the first form of relief indicated above, we have during 
this year sent clothing and other needful articles to six camps in Ten- 
nessee, two in Kentucky, two in Arkansas, and nine others on the Mis- 
sissippi River — and these comprise all the camps of any size easy of access 
from this part of the North and West. Since the Heport submitted to 



12 AVESTERN FREEDMEX S AID COMMISSION. 

the meeting of the Commission, November 19, 1863, we have distributed 
67,033 garments, 2,780 paii-s of shoes, 1,867 pairs of socks and stock- 
ings, 2,891 articles of bedding, 2,871 lbs. of hospital stores, including 
medicines, 3,998 cooking utensils, 22 stoves, 6,173 yards of new goods, 
besides goods of which we have had no invoice. Many of the articles 
of each kind sent were new. According to the usual estimates of 
such stores, the supplies thus forwarded may be fairly valued at about 
S144,000. 

Mieaiis of Self-Supi>ort. 

As the Spring of 1803 opened, another form of relief appeared prac- 
ticable, namely, placing in the hands of the freed people the means of 
industry, encouraging them at once to begin to look to their own free 
labor for some part of their support. It seemed desirable that a portion 
of the means intrusted to us should be applied in this way, which prom- 
ised to bless as well as relieve. We then began to ship garden and field 
seeds, farm and garden implements, and other useful tools to those camps 
where there was land that could be cultivated. Since the last lleport we 
have shipped 342 plows, hoes, and other implements; 2,194 lbs. of gar- 
den seeds, and one sewing-machine. During the two seasons we have 
distributed 898 farm and garden implements, 2,194 lbs. and 15,172 
packages of garden seeds, and have furnished one cane-mill and evapo- 
rator, and three sewing-machines — these last to be used by our teachers 
for the benefit of the schools and hospitals. Most of these things have 
been sent to the camps on the Mississippi, because they were more per- 
manentl}"^ established, but some have gone to those in Tennessee and 
Alabama. Applications from several camps have already been made for 
a large supply for the present season, and it certainly is a form of relief 
that should be most cheerfully rendered. We are now pursuing this 
course in common with kindred associations, and wherever such supplies 
have reached the fr-eedmen they have used them industriously and with 



encouragmg success. 



Orplian. jVsyliinis. 



We find orphan children in every camp and in every city and town 
wliere the freed people are congregated. This is a result necessarily in- 
cident to tlie severe ordeal through which the colored race is passing. 
Many of these little friendless, homeless ones are the children of colored 
Union soldiers who have fallen in battle. Mothers, widowed either by 
the war or by slavery, have died from diseases often occasioned by ex- 
posure, privations, and fatigue, leaving their children in the most helpless 



' CORKESPONDING SECRETARY'S REPORT. 13 

and destitute condition. In the single camp at Davis's Bend, below 
Vicksburg, there are more than six hundred children of this class. There 
is no better work for the hand of charity than to collect these innocents, 
wherever found, into asylums, and gather around them, as far as may be, 
the influences of home. We have one of these orphan homes on Presi- 
dent's Island, under the charge of Miss Eliza Mitchell, a most efficient 
matron, in which some thirty-five children are provided for. We are in- 
terested in one at Columbus, and one at Clarksville, Tennessee. We 
have also contributed supplies to one organized in Memphis by Mrs. S. A. 
M. Canpield, an energetic and devoted laborer in behalf of this needy 
class. There should be good asylums at other important points, and we 
must continue to direct a portion of the means intrusted to us to the ex- 
temsion of this needful form of relief. 

Educational Efforts. 

The Educational Branch of our work has increased in interest and 
importance. As the camps have become established, the facilities for 
teaching in them have been improved; as the freed people able to support 
themselves have become settled in cities and towns, schools have been 
successfully organized among them; and the camps of colored soldiers 
have also presented favorable opportunities for the teacher's labor. We 
have increased the number of our teachers as rapidly as the state of our 
treasury would admit, but at no time have been able to support as large 
a number as might have been advantageously employed. During the 
year we have eommissioneu sixty-seven persons as teachers; during the 
first year we commissioned twenty-eight. 

]N"ar)aes and. Ijocations ot Teachers. 

It may be a matter of interest to know where these persons have 
been and are laboring, as indicating the extent of the field in which we 
are bringing elevating influences to bear upon this oppressed and degraded 
people. During the year we have had teachers located as follows: 

Nashville, Tennessee. — Hugh W. Boyd, Joseph M'Kelvey, Stephen Ward, G. W. 
Hubbard. 

3Iurfreeshoro, Tennessee. — Miss Maria B. Wannemaker, Miss Ann L. Cosper, 
(now Mrs. M'Intosb,) Mrs. Letitia Faurot, Miss Mary L. Faurot, George AV. Weeks, 
Miss Elizabeth E. Tuttle. 

Gallalin, Tennessee. — William P. Stanton, Mrs. Hannah S. Varney, David 
Hadley, Alida Hadley, Hannah Hadley, Millikiu Stalker, Miss Mary Snell, 
Mrs. N. M. Kaull, Miss S. Amanda Kerr, Mrs. Mary E. Hartley, Miss L. L. 
M'Clelland. 



14 WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 

Clarksville, Tennessee. — William Brown, Mrs. Mary M. Brown, Miss Hannah 
Hughes, Miss Mary Grim, 

Fort Donelson, Tennessee. — AVilliam I. Hutchins. 

Columbus, Keiituchy. — Miss Mary H. Johnston, Miss Sarah A. Burgoyne, 
J. L. Roberts, transferred from Helena, Arkansas. 

Mem2>}iis, Tennessee. — Levi E. Tliorne, Miss Rose M. Kinney, Miss Esther S. 
Otis, Mrs. Eliza A. Dow, Miss Marian L. Cook, Miss Josephine M. Henshaw, 
Mrs. Sarah R. Pierce, Miss Lois N. Hinmau, Miss Mary E. Waters, Mrs. Ella A. 
Thorne, Miss Eliz'th T. Bootz, Miss Nellie V. Kimball, Rev. Thomas N. Stewart, 
Miss Rachel M. Stewart, Miss Mary E. Cooper; also temporarily employed, E. C. 
Branch, his wife and daughter, Miss E. M. Parker, and Miss C. E. Parker. 

President's Island. — Miss Eliza Mitchell, Miss Mary L. Kingsbury, Miss 
Mattie E. Taylor. 

Helena, Arkansas. — J. L. Roberts, Miss Henrietta Baldwin, Miss Mary L. Fox, 
Miss Mary A. Carter. 

Milliken's Bend, Arkansas. — Miss Lydia C. Beck with. 

Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas. — Miss Susan T. Sackelt. 

Little Rock, Arkansas. — W. W. Andrews. 

Vicksburg, Mississippi. — Mrs. M. C. Watson, Mrs. Lydia E. Thompson, Miss 
Mary E. Pinkham. Mrs. Hannah S. Yarncy has been transferred from Gallatin 
to Vicksburg. 

Natchez, Mississippi. — Miss Hattie C. Daggett, Miss Mattie W. Childs, Miss 
Augusta WolfFe, Miss Cora R. Sisson. 

Euntsville, Alabama. — Mrs. George Stokes, Miss Mary A. Stokes. 

Freedmeiis Home, Cincinnati. — Miss Hettie Burns. 

Tlie following have been teaching colored soldiers : 

Kentucky. — Charles W. Sible}', at Camp Louisa; Rev. Charles Ives Burnett, 
at Vanceburg. 

Tennessee. — Miss Mary E. Eberman, Miss JL Ellen Fuller, Mrs. Cordelia 
Edson, Miss Frances A. Noyes, Rufus Way Smith, at Memphis. 

Mississippi. — William T. Ward, E. H. Brewer, J. C. Ferree, at Vicksburg; 
Rev. Phineas Mixer, at Natchez. 

Number of Scholars. 

During the year there have been enrolled in our schools about five 
thousand scholars, most of whom received their first instruction from our 
teachers. In addition to these there have been about two thousand men 
and women taught in night-schools and schools in regiments. Soldiers 
can only attend school every other day, so that a regimental teacher can 
instruct double the number usually assigned to other teachers. Com- 
pared with the mass ot" I'reedmen already to be found in the Mississippi 
Valley, the number which we are educating may seem small, but if our 
work be considered in its proper light as the beginning of a general and 



COllRBSPONDING SECRETARY'S REPORT. 15 

systematic effort for the elevation of a race, even what has been done 
must be regarded with interest by the friends and patrons of the cause. 
It is a matter of equal interest that the work of the teacher has been at- 
tended with marked success. All of our teachers have had experience in 
Northern schools, and their uniform testimony is, that they never found 
white scholars so eager or more ready to learn. Men equal to the duties 
of the soldier, women who are mothers, and even gray-haired grandsires, 
are as anxious and almost as ready to learn as the children. A strange 
and wonderful spirit seems to have taken hold of this hitherto passive 
and inert people. 

Besides the means expended in employing, tran.sporting, and pro- 
viding for our teachers, we have furnished during the past year 50,507 
new school-books, 7,874 slates, and a considerable amount of paper, 
pens, pencils, etc., necessary to furnish the schools. We have received 
and distributed a great many old school-books and two Sunday-school 
libraries. We have also purchased and distributed several hundred 
Sabbath-school singing-books. As soon as the physical wants of the 
freedmen are in a measure relieved, few things are more welcome to them 
than books. As the day of their freedom dawns, it seems every-where 
to inspire, them with a desire to read. Books, ever vigilantly withheld 
by slavery, are now received with wondering delight. It would appear 
that in the very possession of what has so long been under ban, this 
poor people find an assurance of their freedom and a pledge of its 
perpetuity. The privilege of studying them is a restored prerogative, 
which they are ready to improve, though they may not comprehend its 
significance as the earnest of the recognition of their common humanity, 
and the acknowledgment of their unalienable rights. 

The work of education, to accomplish the highest results, must, like 
that of relief, be twofold : 

1. That icliich 2)(irtains to common school instruction. 

2. TJiat which pertains to domestic and industrial pursuits. 

In establishing schools for the first of these purposes, we have stud- 
ied to adapt them to the condition of the freed people. Every-where 
they are found unable to read and write, and very many of them are 
ignorant as regards the simple and common duties of life. This is 
almost invariably the case with that large class who have been field- 
hands. With these, a knowledge of domestic duties, instructions as to 
cleanliness, etc., are quite as essential to a Christian civilization as a com- 
mon school education. They must learn from the teacher a great many 
things important in their elevation, which in a free community our sons 



16 WESTERN FREEDMEN's AID COMMISSION. 



and daughters learn in the home and from society. We must carry to 
them both forms of instruction, and hence a school for them comprehends 
more in some respects than in the North. The teachers who labor among 
them, under the auspices of our Commission, are expected not only to 
teach reading, writing, and other useful branches, but also to give such 
instructions in ordinary domestic and industrial habits as will make them 
neat in their homes, economical in their customs, and thrifty in their 
pursuits. It is important that the schools be furnished with thread, 
needles, thimbles, and the like, as well as with books, pens, and paper, 
that the teachers may devote some time each day to teaching the females 
such homely and practical branches as cutting, and making, and even 



mending clothes. 



Indiastrial Schools. 



The second form of education is prosecuted more thoroughly and with 
more system in what are termed " industrial schools." In them the 
women and gii'ls are taught to sew neatly and well, and to cut and make 
every necessary article of clothing ; the boys work at some useful trade, 
as at Clarksville, where they are taught to make shoes. The members 
of these schools are compensated for their labor, by which means they 
may begin to provide for themselves by their own industry. We have 
had teachers in such schools at Memphis, President's Island, and Natchez, 
and have furnished material to two other schools besides. Such schools, 
properly managed, will be efficient in the elevation of the freed people. 
They will tend to develop ideas of self-dependence and self-support, 
which have been crushed out by slaver}-. Place them under the direction 
of competent persons, and large quantities of new goods may there be 
made into garments, and second-hand clothing repaired and refitted" so as 
to render it far more serviceable than if distributed as received. 

By proper and energetic movements in this direction, these schools 
will, alter a little time, become so effective as to relieve from a double 
task many of those societies of noble women iu the i^orth, who. prompted 
by feelings dl' liumanity and jmtriotism, are dividing tlu'ir increased 
labors between the soldier and the freedmen. The careful habits, the 
notions of economy, and the feelings of self-reliance developed by such 
schools, will be an incalculable blessing to the many who are employed 
and instructed in thcni. In I'act, those schools are indispensable to the 
highest results id' ("lni.-;tian hcnevolcnce in behalf of the freed people. 
One or more should be established and supported in every camp, and 
supplied with plain materials for the manufacture of the most needful 
clothing, bedding, shoes, etc. 



CORRESPONDING SECRETARY S REPORT. 17 



Distribiitioii of Sin>plies. 

^ Our mode of distributing supplies throughout the extended field in 
which we labor will be a matter of interest to contributors. More than 
a year ago we determined to appoint intelligent and responsible men as 
agents to supervise the whole work of distribution, both of goods and 
books, making it their duty to canvass as often and thoroughly as possi- 
ble their respective fields — to visit the camps, ascertain the most needy 
points, and furnish them with supplies. We assigned the camps on the 
Mississippi to Isaac Gr. Tiiorne, and those in Middle Tennessee to Rev. 
D. M. "Wilson. The latter has withdrawn from the work on account 
of his health. J. 0. Heed, David Smith, Daniel W. Knowles, and 
M. Sawyer, a Director of our Commission, have assisted in the field. 
Most of our shipments are consigned to our agents, and forwarded to the 
points they may indicate. The immediate work of giving out the goods 
and books is generally intrusted to the teachers and those who have 
charge of the camps. It is made the duty of our teachers to visit the 
freed people in their huts and tents, and by personal inspection ascertain 
their real condition and wants, so that in the distribution of goods the 
most needy may be first relieved. This duty furthermore is assigned to 
the teacher because we feel that the work of relief and education should 
go hand in hand — that the person who is instrumental in relieving the 
wants of parents or children will be the more successful as a teacher among 
them. JMonthly reports of distributions are required from teachers and 
agents. We find that by this plan we secure the prompt distribution of 
our goods to those places where there is the greatest need, and among 
those persons who are really the most destitute. It is due to agents of 
the Government, Chaplains, etc., to say that by a cheerful co-operation 
with our agents and teachers, they have greatly aided and facilitated this 
work of relief. 

Tlie Teacher's W^orlr. 

A remark in regard to this is due the noble men and women who are 
devoting themselves to the elevation of the freedmen. It is a toilsome 
work, attended with peculiar difiiculties and privations. They teach six 
hours each day; they visit to ascertain the wants of the people, and to 
gather new-comers into the schools ; they distribute clothing among the 
needy, and visit the sick; the female teachers give the women and girls 
instructions in sewing, etc. ; and some of them carry their labors into the 
night by gathering the men and women who work through the day, into 
night-schools. All are not thus diligent, but as a class they are earnest 



18 WESTERN FREEDMEN's AID COMMISSION. 

Christian men and women, deeply devoted to their work. There are 
many things to embarrass their eiForts. The camps are not permanently 
located, hence they must teach in tents, cabins, churches, or whatever 
shelter may be secured. Some have held their schools in the open air 
for weeks in succession. We furnish all our schools with the best series 
of books, but it is impo.ssible to supply many of the conveniences com- 
mon to school-rooms in the North. 

The teachers must live in such houses as the military authorities may 
turn over to them, and their food is the ordinary Grovernmeut ration, ex- 
cept such other articles as may be sent them by the Commission or their 
personal friends. They are also subjected to social privations. They 
labor where to teach the slaves has been an offense to public sentiment, 
or a crime by law. They find few who. have any sympathy with, or a 
spirit of toleration for, their efforts in behalf of the freedmen — many 
who regard them with all the bitterness of Southern contempt. They 
are away from their friends, isolated in society, and usually deprived 
even of Church privileges. Their Sabbaths are chiefly given to Sunday- 
school labor among the freedmen. And yet, with all this, they love their 
work, and give themselves most heartily to it. One superintendent re- 
cently reports that he finds it necessary to restrict the labors of his teach- 
ers for their own health's sake. The work every-where is so vast, and 
the laborers are so few, that those who are in the field find ever before 
them an unfinished task. It is not unusual for them to expend a large 
proportion of their monthly salary, for the relief of helpless and suffer- 
ing ones. And our agents are just as devoted and self-sacrificing as the 
teachers. 

Collections. • 

Although we frequently receive moneys and goods from the friends of 
our cause without any appeal to thorn, yet it is necessary to bring the 
claims of this great work before the people. The facts, when known to 
the public, awaken a very general ami lively interest; but in an age of 
grand events, and in a land where the most wonderful of these events are 
transpiring, the public mind is so occupied that it is necessary to carry 
our cause to the i)eople by earnest, active agents. Wo now have three 
of these agents engaged in canvassing the home field — that is, the West- 
.ern States; namely, Rev. J. R. LoCKK, Rev. 1>. KiNUREY, and Rev. IT. 
W. GuTiruii;. This force will be inc^reased from time to time as the 
work may demand. To guard the public against an imposition already 
practiced in the name of our cause, we furnish to authorized agents a 



CORRESPONDING SECRETARY'S REPORT. 19 



certificate of their appointment, signed and sealed in behalf of the Com- 
mission. 

L:^vi Coffin, our General Agent, is now laboring with great success 
in G-reat Britain. During the past eight months he has traveled through- 
out England, Ireland, and Scotland, and within about five months has 
forwarded more than $23,000 in cash, and goods, mostly new, valued 
at $10,000. 

lieligioxxs IPolicy. 

The religious element entering so largely into the organization of our 
Commission, it is not strange that a question arose as to the limit of our 
operations — whether we should send missionaries to evangelize as well as 
teachers to instruct the freedmen. The Commission, agreeins: that the 
work of evangelization was authoritatively committed to the Church, and 
that no organization of merely-human origin is warranted in contraven- 
ing the Divine plan, determined to leave to the Church the whole work 
of sending missionaries and organizing Churches. Its jiolicy is, how- 
ever, to employ only Christian persons as teachers ; to encourage the 
organization of Sabbath schools ; to send Bibles and Testaments to the 
freedmen ; to influence them, so far as may be, to observe the Sabbath, 
and to attend the public worship of God ; to inculcate sentiments of 
respect for religion, and to direct all our agencies so that they shall exert 
an influence that will be favorable to the work of evanoelization among 
the freedmen, to which a signal providence of God invites the whole 
Church, and upon which she must speedily enter. 

Our Commission is catholic in its spirit and operations. Every con- 
siderable religious denomination is represented in our board of ofiicers, 
and among our Agents and Teachers ; and while agents and teachers are 
required to produce evidence of their Church membership and Christian 
character, no question can be raised as to sect. We have felt from the 
beginning that till God shall prepare the way for the reconstruction of 
Churches throughout the South, all Christians should join hands in a 
general and undenominational and powerful movement in behalf of the 
freed people — a course that seems the more patriotic, practical, and im- 
perative from the fact that the Government may properly give all possible 
aid and encouragement to a movement which, in its unity, strength, and 
catholicity, is representative of a people's benevolence. 

Increase of our "Worli. 

Although there are other forms of benevolence in our country having 
their occasion in the present gigantic war, for which the people are zeal- 



20 WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 

ously laboring and to wliicli tliey are contributing with a munificence of 
liberality, still tlie work in behalf of the freedmen is receiving a con- 
stantly-increasing support. During the first year of our operations, 
ending January 19, 1864, the cash contributions received amounted to 
$17,270.33: during. the past year, §30,225.08. The comparative value 
of the goods contributed and purchased is as follows : 

AK11CI.E8. illlST YTAR. SKtOSD YE.ill. 

Clothing, bedding, etc., about $28,000 $134,200 

Cooking utensils, stoves, etc., about l,2i)0 2,075 

Garden seeds, trees, etc " 2,200 4,220 

Books, etc., " 2.000 14,475 

New goods, " 1,200 3,065 

Hospital supplies No estimate 1,435 

Goods from England 8,000 



$34,600 $167,470 

A sugar-cane mill and evaporator sent South during the first year is 
not included above. During the last year we have been able to employ 
thirty more teachers, and our schools have been kept open on an average 
three months longer than during the first year. Last year, including the 
goods distributed, expenses of shipment, salary and expenses of teachers, 
etc., our whole operations amounted to about §4:0,000 ; this year they 
will reach $185,000. 

3r*rivctical liesiilts. 

We have stated that there is great destitution and suffering among the 
freed people — that the work of benevolence before us is steadily increas- 
ing ; but, while it is our duty to bring before the public mind the full 
extent and pressing character of the demand, it is equally our duty to 
mention some facts and results which indicate the coming of a Inighter 
and better day. Though the transition be attended with great suffering, 
the blessings of the new condition are manifest. The Chattel is rising 
into Manhood; his influence is being felt for the llight. An element of 
great strength is being transferred from the Rebellion to the Government; 
thousands of robust men, whose forced labor supported our enemies, are 
now in the service or in the ranks of our armies. On hard-fought fields 
the former slave has evinced the qualities of a brave soldier; as a laborer 
he has, by willing industry, rendered invaluable service. Many who at 
first were dependent upon Government and the charities of the North are 
now, by compensated labor on plantations and cl.sewhcre, earning tlioir 
own support. Among old and young there is an eager desire for educa- 
tion. Under the influence of Christian teachers they are acquiring habits 
i)f neatness, industry, and crnMomy ; they are inibilung nntions of self- 



ADDRESSES AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. 21 

reliance and self-government ; and they are being inspired with a respect 
for marriage, the family, and home. At several points peaceful, thrifty, 
order-loving communities have been formed. Wherever properly cared 
for, they soon become qualified for the privileges and responsibilities of 
freedom. The problem in regard to this people, that has occupied the 
profound thoughts of the wisest statesmen for three-fourths of a century, 
is being wrought out in our own day, and every donation that flows from 
the benevolence of the North for the relief and education of the freed- 
men is hastening the hopeful solution. 

Reports and letters are herewith submitted that will further illustrate 
what our Commission has accomplished during the past year, and the 
magnitude of the work which in our day God in his providence has laid 
upon the friends of freedom and humanity. 



ADDRESSES AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. 

Rev. Bishop Charles P. M'llvaine, Rev. Bishop D. W. Clark, Rev. 
Dr. M. L. P. Thompson, and Rev. Dr. R. C. Grundy, distinguished min- 
isters and representative men in their respective denominations, known 
to be in full sympathy with our cause, were invited to speak at the An- 
nual Meeting. 

.Address of I5isb.or> IVX'Ilvaine. 

The venerable Bishop spoke after the reading of the Report of the 
Corresponding Secretary. His rdmarks were extemporaneous, but in- 
spired by the deep interest he feels in the cause of freedom and humanity, 
they were characterized with his usual clearness, force, and earnestness. 
From the brief notes at hand, it is not possible to give even a correct 
synopsis of his address. He first alluded to a closing passage of the 
above report, which speaks of the work of evangelization among the 
freedmen, to which God, by a signal providence, now invites the Church. 
He spoke of the present wonderful march of events resulting in the 
emancipation of the colored people, and making them accessible to the 
agencies of religion and civilization, as finding a parallel only in the 
delivery of the Israelites from Egyptian thralldom. God delivered them 
by signal providences, and also prepared them for liberty, for the jjosses- 
sion and enjoyment of which they had been unfitted by a long night of 
bondage. We speak of the army as opening the brazen gates hitherto 
closed against the unfettered truth, but when we see that hand which has 
directed and controlled events, the army will only be recognized as an 
illustrious instrument. We are beginning to learn that God inaugurated 
this war for the sake of liberty. The very key that the South forged to 
secure slavery has been used to unlock its doors and liberate its victims. 
The great end, to accomplish which God could overrule this war, was to 



22 WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 



deliver the land from slavery. The speaker regarded the preservation of 
the Government and the deliverance of the land from slavery not as two 
distinct results, but as one thing. 

He spoke at some lengtli in regard to the freedmen. When he thought 
of their condition, of their necessities in the period of their transition, 
he was encouraged by the past. They would be prepared for the career 
now opening before them. Christian benevolence had already organized 
to help them, and he felt that there would be an iiprisiug of the people 
to sustain these institutions that labor in their behalf; he felt that, by 
the favor and blessing of God, they would be made agencies in relieving 
and Christianizing the race. He spoke of the destiny that was before 
this poor people, that they would rise up and stand upon an equal footing 
with others. They had shown a remarkable docility — they were readily 
taught to observe order — they were keenly susceptible to social influ- 
ences — and they had other peculiarities which gave much assurance that 
they would readily make law-abiding citizens. He afiirmed that the 
black man from his nature is particularly easy to be cultivated into a 
gentleman, and as an illustration of this referred to the politeness that 
marked them as waiters and servants. He assured the Association that 
it could do no better service to community than to enlist it in behalf of 
this suffering yet rising people. 

Ijetter from Bisliop Clark. 

Cincinnati, January 19, 1865. 

Rev. J. M. Walden, Cor. Sec. W. F. A. Com. : Dear Brotha\—l 
have just i-eached home from Nashville. A severe cold with sore 
throat unfits me for speaking, or I should most cheerfully comply with 
your request to speak this evening. 

The freedmen have claims upon this Christian people which it would 
be as cruel to iccnore as it would be to hold them still in bondnae. Then, 
too, there is hope in them. Their "mother wit," their sensibility, and 
their physical manhood, together with their desire for self-elevation, give 
us infinitely higher ground for hope than can be found in those poor 
semblances of humanity — tlie poor white trash of the South, cast among 
us like driftwood by the gale upon the ocean shore. May God prosper 
the good work ! 

Truly yours, D. W. Clark. 

Letter from Dr. O-rimdy. 

Cincinnati, Onio,'jANrART 19, 1865. 

Rev. J. ]M. Walden : Mi/ Dear Brother, — Since last Sabbath I have 
been confined to my room by severe indisposition. Tlmugh convalescent, 
I am still unable to be out, and hence am deprived of the pleasure of 
participating in the :inui versa r}' exercises of the Western Froodmon's Aid 
Commission to-night. Though I did not expect to contribute much to 
your meeting, I had hoped to be present and to have said a word by way 
of personally testifying to the value of i/oiir channel of benevolence for 
the Freedmen. What strange additions these strange times have made 
and are making to our vocabulary! We have long had the term Bond- 



ADDRESSES AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. 23 



men as growing out of the structure and administration of our Govern- 
ment, but it has been reserved for these hist datjs to give us the mitithetic 
term Freedmen. My stand-points touching shivery, and my relations to 
it, led me, at an early period of my life, to study the history and charac- 
ter of the institution, and to read with special interest our history upon 
the subject. 

From the beginning this subject figured in our civil history. And no 
one who has carefully read this history can wonder at its figuring now. 
The whole history is comprehended in two words: Bondmen and Freeel- 
men. In these two words you have the Alpha and Omega of the whole 
matter of slavery. The North gave the black man to the South a Bund- 
man, and now he comes back to the North a Frecdmetn, and asks for pro- 
tection and shelter, and the education necessary for citizenship, not as a 
matter of charity merely, but of debt. Yes, sir, this is the ground upon 
which I put your Institution, whose second anniversary you celebrate to- 
night. 

At the door of the North lies the sin and folly of inaugurating the 
system of slavery, and of laying broad and deep its foundation of great- 
ness and strength in the South. Let a few instructive facts show what I 
mean. 

1. This huge rebellion, which, contrary to the purposes and exjjecta- 
tions of those who instituted it, is giving us the Freedmen, is founded 
upon and grows out of the proverb tha't Cotton is King. It is emphat- 
ically King Cotton's rebellion. 

2. To the North King Cotton owes his origin and his power. 

In the revenue law of 1795 the Congress of the United States laid a 
duty of three cents per pound on cotton, not to encourage or protect, 
but to create its culture. AVhile this measure was under discussion, a 
member from South Carolina declared that Cotton was in contemplation 
in South Carolina and Georgia, '■'■ and if grjod seed coidd he iyre)cured. he 
hoped it might succeed." Six years afterward Mr. Hamilton, in his report 
on the manufactures, recommended the repeal of this duty on cotton on 
the ground that it was "a very serious impediment to the manufacture of 
cotton;" but his recommendation was disregarded. Thus did the North, 
to her own hurt, and of her own accord, pay a duty of three cents on the 
pound on cotton to the Southern Planter in order to enthrone King Cot- 
ton in the South! In 1796, when the manufecturers of Brandywine, in 
Delaware, petitioned Congress to repeal this duty on imported cotton, it 
was rejected on the report of a committee, a majority of whom were from 
the South, and upon the distinct ground that the repeal would retard the 
growing of cotton in our own country. So much for the first fact touch- 
ing King Cotton. His cradle was the TariflF, made and rocked by North- 
ern hands. 

2. Another &ct touching King Cotton is, that the North not only 
furnished him a Tariff", but the negroes to do his work. It is sufiicient 
here to state that the extension of time for the toleration of the slave- 
trade from 1800 to 1808 was by the Northern vote. It stood thus — 
yeas, seven, as follows: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, 
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; nays, four — 
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. 



24 "WESTERX FKEEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 



I need not j^o further into tlie detail? of historic fact to show the 
debt which the North now owes the Freedmen of the South, save only to 
mention one other fact, and that is tlie invention of the cotton-gin by 
Eli WiiiTNEr, of New Haven, Connecticut. All else done by the North 
would not have availed to give King Cotton his throne without this. A 
distinguished Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, and a 
citizen of South Carolina, thus eloquently testifies to the value of this 
invention as to the growth of cotton in the South: "With regard to the 
utility of this discovery [the cotton-gin of Whitney] the Court would 
deem it a waste of time to dwell long on this topic. The whole interior 
of the Southern States was languishing, and its inhabitants emigrating, 
for want of some object to engage their attention and employ their indus- 
try, when the invention of this machine at once opened views to them 
which set the whole country in active motion. From childhood to age, it 
has presented us a lucrative employment." 

Thus you see, from the facts of the history, that King Cotton owes his 
origin, growth, and power to Northern legislation and inventive genius. 
His hatred to the North is as unnatural as it is unjust and cruel. But 
be this as it may, the facts most clearly demonstrate that the North owes 
the Freedmen of the South precisely what they are now asking at our 
hands. While, then, we appeal in their behalf, in the name of humanity 
and patriotism, let us not forgef that we owe all which their condition 
and circumstances claim at our hands as a matter of debt, and on the 
score of justice. Let us, then, in this our National crisis do our duty to 
the Freedmen, and they in turn will do their duty to us and our country. 
Had I time and health I would here say a word in regard to the relations 
of the black man to the cotton plant, and his future relations to King 
Cotton, but I forbear. 

I am yours truly, E. C. GRiNDy. 



Speech, of Rev. I3r. Sstorrs. 

Dr. Thompson was not present, on account of personal illness. On 
motion, llev. Dr. H. M. Storrs was invited to address the meeting. He 
made a brief, earnest speech, dwellipg mainly upon the moral efforts that 
would be necessary to comitleto the work wbich had been begun by the 
sword. The sword can only huish its appropriate work ; the war boats down 
great barriers which stand in the way of reform and evangelization, but 
moral furces alone can build up and beautify. The time was when we 
were driven back from the South by a wall that was impregnable to moral 
influences. AVc could go to Asia, to Africa, to the isles of the sea, with 
a free Gospel, but not to the South. (Jod, using a nation's cannon as his 
instruments, has breached that wall, and now we mav i>;o to the South, 
carrying our principles with us, aiid giving free expression to our con- 
victions. It is our duty — the duty of the Cliristian people — to seize the 
opportunity now presented to labor for the elevation of the fillen race. 
These were the leading thoughts which, in an amplified and lilly-illus- 
trated form, Dr. Storrs ]»reseiiled in his address. 



ADDRESSES AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. 25 



Speecli of .Tiicltsoii IVI. ]Moore, a colored man. 

After Dr. Storrs had i^pokeii and as tlie meeting was about to cloi-e, Mr. 
Jack(^on M. Moore, a colored man, who is a resident of Cincinnati, rose 
in the back part of the audience, and asked in behalf of his race what he 
termed the privilege of thanking the members of the Association for what 
they were doing for the freedmen. He was invited forward and requested 
to give expression to any thing he thought would be of interest to the 
meetino-. At the close of his remarks, he was requested by vote to put 
them in writing, to be published in the xiunual Report. He spoke as 
follows : 

Mr. Chairman and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Western Freedmen s Aid Commission: 

You will pardon the intrusion of an obsfiure stranger, the grandson of 
a.freedman, who appears at this feast not as an invited guest, but as a 
spectator. 

While listening to the official reports, and the remarks made by the 
different gentlemen who have spoken, I felt my heart swell with gratitude 
to God and thankfulness to the Christian ladies and gentlemen who are 
engaged in this labor of love, and in behalf of my brethren, beg leave to 
return thanks for what they have done and still are doing for the physical 
comfort and the moral and intellectual development of my long-oppressed 
and downtrodden people. 

One of the most pleasing features to my mind of this enterprise, is 
the Christian union which is manifested. I see clerical gentlemen, and 
Christian ladies and gentlemen of A^arious denominations, laying aside 
denominational distinctions and uniting heart and hand in labors of love. 

Prominent among them I see the venerable prelate of the diocese of 
Ohio, the personal friend of the sovereign to whom I once owed allegi- 
ance. I respect the queen, I like the royal lady, but I love the noble 
woman. I love her because she has a tnie woman's heart, w^ith a woman's 
tender sympathy and love. She loved her husband ; she loves her chil- 
dren ; she loves her people ; and more, she loves the cause of God and 
humanity. 

The fiery ordeal through which this nation is passing is purging it 
from much of its dross, and divesting it of many of its vices, leaving a 
residuum of pure metal, and developing the nobler attributes and Chris- 
tian graces. The soldiers and sailors have displayed a fortitude and 
heroism unsurpassed even by ancient Sparta. The Christian graces have 
shone with a luster which makes angels rejoice and the sohs of God shout 
for joy. The iiowers of the Christian character have been watered with 
blood and tears, and have been developed and ripened into golden fruit ; 
prominent among the rich clusters we see the Christian, Sanitary, Refu- 
gee, and last, but not least, the Freedmen's-Aid Commissions. 

Mr. Chairman, we appreciate the Christian benevolence displayed in 
this enterprise, but we have higher and holier claims to patriotic and 
Christian sympathy and love. When this nation first came into being 
and was rocked amid the storm of revolution, our ancestors aided in pro- 
tecting the cradle when ■' Herod sought the young child's life to destroy 
it," and when it was christened our fathers mingled their blood in the 



26 WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 



baptismal font, and assisted iu the ceremonies as sponsors, and solemnly 
promised to establish justice, promote the general welfare, and secure the 
blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity, and in the interval 
between childhood and manhood the sweat and tears of our fathers en- 
riched the soil, their unrequited toil contributed largely toward develop- 
ment of the material wealth of the nation. The nation has arrived at 
man's estate and is being rebaptized in blood and tears, and our brethren 
are freely sprinkling the altar with their blood and tears, as Millilcen's 
Bend, Port Hudson, Olustee, Fort Wagner, Petersburg, Nashville, and 
Fort Fisher so nobly testify. 

Again, we bear the impress of the Great Creator's seal stamped upon 
our ebon brows, and his law is written upon the table of our hearts; a 
common salvation was purcha.sed with a price more valuable than the 
blood of bullocks and goats, even the precious blood of Christ. We are 
children of a common Parent, and heirs of the same heritage. 

The teachings of the philosophy of history may impart some useful 
lessons if we heed the instruction. There may be some historical anal- 
ogy between the proud Anglo-American and the humble and despised 
Anglo-African. If the former should trace his pedigree up through a 
" long line of illustrious ancestors," he would probably find at the root 
of the ancestral tree a Saxon slave whom a Norman gentleman spurned, 
so now a Northern gentleman spurns and despises a Southern slave and 
his descendants. While we admire the majestic oak, let us not forget the 
humble acorn from which it grew. "A touch of nature should make us 
wondrous kind to each other." 

I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I have strong faith 
in God, who in his own time and way will rebuild the waste places, and 
make the desert to blossom as the rose : there is a glorious future for 
America. The grand idea of a "free Christian empire," which the Pil- 
grim Fathers planted upon old Plymouth, has taken root and will yet 
flourish like a green bay whose shadows shall cover this continent, and 
not this continent alone, but it will cover the whole earth as the waters 
cover the face of the great doep. 

I can imagine a noble ship with beautiful proportions, graceful model, 
full rigged, with powerful engiTies, starting on a voyage around the globe 
with the Bible lor her chart, faith her compass, hope her anchor, and 
charity or love her helm. The navies of all nations salute her as she 
glides smoothly aiul gracefully along, and as she enters their ports, kings, 
princes, and potentates doif their crowns and pay humage to I'ree, civilized, 
and Christianized America, the flag-ship of Christian civilization, *' (iod, 
the Union, and Liberty " emblazoned on her '' banner of beauty " floating 
in the breezes of heaven. 

Again, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you in behalf of 
my brethren, the freedmen, for what you have already done and still are 
doing. I can only bid ymi (liMlspeed in all your labors of love ; and 
when you shall have iiiiished your labors on earth, may you receive the 
approving plaudit from the Grand Master above, " Well done, good and 
ftithful servants, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord!" 

Again 1 tliMiik you all for your courtesy and indulgence to me per- 
sonally. 



CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS, ETC. 27 



COEEESPONDENOE, EEPOETS, ETC. 

We publish the following letters, reports, and extracts from corre- 
spondence, etc., to illustrate the work in whicli we are engaged. We give 
the obsei-vations and impressions of those who are in the field, and so di- 
rectly connected with the work as to be able to speak intelligently in re- 
gard to its extent, difficulties, encouragements, and other peculiarities. 

The letters, reports, extracts, etc., herewith published, are arranged 
as follows: 

1. Those which illustrate the wants of the freedmen and the work 
of relief among them. 

2. Those which illustrate the work of education. 

3. Those which illustrate the general results of emancipation and 
the efibrts being made in behalf of the freed people. 

WORKS OF RELIEF, ETC. 

Prom Captain "WILLIAM BRUNT, Superintendent of Freedmen at Clarks- 

ville, Tennessee.* 
, C'larksville, Tenn., February 23, 1SG5. 

Eev. J. M. Walden : Dear Friend,— Ihc four boxes, 2523, 2531, 2540, and 2554, 
arrived to-day in good condition. I expect to forward part of these to Fort Don- 
elson. I will state what is required berc, taking care not to ask for more than 
is absolutely needed. We need a supply of needles and thread of all kinds; 
there is great need of repairing clothing in camp; many are disposed to mond 
their clothes, and come to Mrs. Brunt for needles and thread — thus evincing a 
disposition to do if they had the means to do with. Mrs. B. takes great interest 
in issuing clothing, aiid will use with discretion any thing furnished for the 
camp. She has hired help; consequently, can and will devote her entire time to 
the sewing rooms. 

Friend Walden, please ask your Board if they will supply our Orphans' Home 
with what is necessary to make them comfortable; namely, tin-plates, tincups, 
spoons, knives and forks, and other things necessary to prepare their food and 
secure their cleanliness. I think there will be fifty to provide for. I give you 
the probable number, leaving it to you to supply what you think best. I can fur- 
nish rooms, rations, and medical attendance at Government expense; the remain- 
der must come from the Freedmen's Commission. Since I have applied to you to 
commission the Matron, I prefer your Board taking the whole thing in hand and 
supplying us with what will be necessary for the proper management of the Or- 
phans' Home in my camp. AVhat say you to this proposition? 

Please send a large supply of thread, for there has been but little received 
heretofore, and nearly every person in camp needs some. I would like to have 
half a ream of good cap paper and a box of good buff envelopes, for my son is 
engaged most of his time in writing letters for the colored peo^ile in camp. 

[From the same, March 3fl.-'] 

Eev. J. M. Walden: 3Iif Dear Friend, — Your kind favor of the 2Sth ult. is 
received. I thank you for your prompt action in commissioning Miss Mary 



* Keceived since the annual meeting. 



28 WESTERN FREEDMEN's AID COMMISSION. 



Grim, of Farraington, Fulton County, 111., as teacher and matron of the Colored 
Orphans' Home at this camp; also for the supply of garden-seeds and hoes, tin- 
ware and other things necessary for the outfit of the Orphans' Home. My heart 
ached to-day as I saw the poor little orplian children in camp, so poorly clad 
and poorly cared for by the colored women who h.ave them in charge, in groups 
of various numbers, from two to six each, just as they could be induced to take 
them. But to-night my heart is lighti for in a few weeks, at farthest, we shall 
be able to provide properly for them. There can be plenty of colored women 
found who will, at low wages, reader good service in the Home, under the super- 
vision of Miss Grim. I think three or four dollars per month, and comfortable, 
plain clothing for each person so employed, will secure the services of the best of 
the colored women at the camp. 

I am having eight more school-rooms built at camp, twenty by twenty-five 
feet, and think each and all will be filled, with the five now in use, to excess, 
making thirteen schools at the camp. There are five schools now in successful 
operation at the camp, two in the Presbyterian Church and one at the Post Hos- 
pital iu Clarksviille; also two large schools at Providence; and there ought to be 
at least two more schools at Providence. There must be two schools at Fort 
Donelsou. We need one male and two female teachers at Donelson, eiglit female 
teacliers here at camp, and at least two for Providence, as soon as rooms can be 
secured at Providence for them. 

My field embraces all the colored people at this post — the camp, Clarksville. 
and Providence — also the colored people at Fort Donelson, who are now building 
their own school-hou^s and teachers' quarters. They sent me §30, collected 
from their own circle, to purchase sash, glass, locks, and hinges. 

[From the same, March 4th.*] , 

... I place the Orphans' Home exclusively under the oare of your Board, 
and shall bo happy to consider any suggestions from you in reference to the 
management of the Home. 1 shall rely on getting supplies from your Board to 
make it what it should be — economically conducted. I propose erecting a build- 
ing free of cost to you, except the sash, glass, and locks and hinges, sufficiently 
large to accommodate fifty children and their assistants, separating the sexes, 
each having their own part of the building to occupy. 

To do this we shall need two large cooking-stoves and four large box or heat- 
ing stoves, a supply of tin-ware, brooms, buckets, and wash-boai-ds — we can 
m.ike our own seats, tables, and wash-tubs. We shall need a supply of boys' 
and girls' clothing to secure a proper degree of neatness and cleanliness, also a 
supply of bedding 

From CHARLES H. HOOD, M. D., Surgeon at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

Sir, — I have the honor to address you in relation to the necessities of the 
people of color in this place. I have had charge of the Contrabands Ilonpital in 
this place for the last eighteen months, and professional charge of the Contra- 
bands Camp for a year past, and I assure you, sir, 1 have given my best energies 
to the study of their characters and their wants, and during the last Winter I 
liad llie satisifaction of distributing a large amount of clothing, shoes, and other 
valuables among them. Several boxes of valuable supplies were forwarded to 
my address, last Winter, from your Commission, and I was happy in being the 
agent of disti'ibuting your bounty, to the great comfort of many who were res- 
cued from sufl'(!riiig by the opportune arrival of comfortable clothing, etc. Those 
who have been here througii the Summer have l)een industriously einiiloycd, and the 
most of them are quite comfortable. But they arc constantly coming in, and the 
most of them arrive liere in a very destitute condition, many of them being obliged 
to fly with tlieir clothing only, and leaving every thing else behind. Many of 

' ^ Recolvod since the annual raootiug. 



CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS, ETC. 29 



them have suffered most dreadfully for want of food of a nutritious character, 
and many of them, partiouhxrly the children, when they come within our lines, 
are exhausted, anemiac, and dropsical from the want of nutrition. Ilavinii; a 
more extensive acquaintance witli these poor people than any other person at this 
Post, I think I could distribute supplies among them understandingly, being pretty 
well advised as to the history, condition, and claims of a very large proportion 
of them. If you have supplies to disiribnte I would be pleased to act as your 
agent in their distribution at this place. The supplies most needed are women's 
and children's clothing, shoes, bed-clothing, etc. Hoping to receive a consign- 
ment for distribution at an early day, I am, etc. 

From Chaplain GEOBG-E STOKES, Superintendent of Freedmen at Hunts- 

ville, Alabama. 
Showing the condition in which the freed people reach the camps. 

My Dear Sir, — I take the liberty of addressing you in behalf of the destitute 
colored people at this camp. They are daily increasing in numbers on account 
of its proximity to the slave .region of Northern Alabama. Our camp is under- 
stood to be a refuge for them, and hence they flock in here. I have two hundred 
and forty-five in camp now, principally women with children and decrepit old 
men and women. In coming away from their masters they leave their clothes, 
sometimes their children, and all they have behind them. They appeal to us, 
day after day, to go after their children, etc., but our powers beiijig limited, and 
having no teams or guards that we can control, it can not be done. Still they 
stay with us — they dare not return — and they have no beds, but few clothes, 
and not a change of apparel. The only rations issued to the Contrabands are 
one pound of corn meal, six ounces of bacon or pork, and a little salt to each 
person per day. While this is all we receive now, we have old people and very 
small children that need something different, especially when sick, and the few 
Sanitary stores here are needed for the soldier. We now appeal for second-hand 
clothes of all kinds, more especially for women and children, as we have many 
of them. Women's shoes are much needed, as this is a rocky region; also tea, 
sugar, rice, and any thing else needed by the afflicted. There are women here 
that will be soon confined, and not a thing to make up or prepare either for 
themselves or offspring. There are some that can sew, who could alter garments 
if we had a supply of second-hand clothing. Some are advised to return to their 
masters, whose children and clothes can not be brought away; but if they return 
it is with a fear that they will be sent across the Tennessee River to everlasting 
slavery. 

[From a statement by the same person— Chaplain Stokes— after his camp had been broken np by 
tlio retreat of the Union forces before General Hood.] 

Just from the front, where war with all its miseries, suffering, and wretched- 
ness is seen — where there are a variety of claims to attract the attention and 
arouse the sympathies of the benevolent— many calls of suffering humanity to 
impel them to activity. Have had a large field of labor, where eleven months' 
experience has given sufficient assurance that we can put to silence all who have 
pleaded the incapacity of the negro or freedman for self-management, education, 
or advancement, self-protection, or self-support. Though opposed in our work by 
rebel sympathizers, or those of pro-slavery proclivities, the year of trial has been 
a prosperous one till military strategy caused us to evacuate our camp at Ilunts- 
ville, where we had raised four thousand bushels of corn, about seven or eight bales 
of cotton, and sorghum for thirty barrels of sirup. This was raised principally 
by women and children. In leaving, we left all. No transportation could be 
had; we burned the beds and destroyed cooking utensils, and after one day's 
march we were obliged to leave both bed-clothes and wearing apparel, so fts to 
carry in our wagons the small children and aged ones that could not walk. 
After part of our teams had crossed the Paint Rock River, the rebels came on 
our rear and cut off many of the wagons of the white and black refugees, cans- 



•30 WESTERN FREEDMEN's AID COMMISSION. 



ing a stampede of such a nature as I trust never again to witness; men leaving 
tlieir teams, young people throwing away their bundles, blankets, and shoes to 
facilitate their flight; women panting and striving to get away from the hell- 
hounds of the Southern Confederacy with their little ones. But, alas! the load 
is too heavy; the mother has to leave her babe in the road, and franticly she 
hastens onward to evade the grasp of her pursuers. In this stampede we threw 
away every thing; and all is gone, and now my people live in huts made of cedar 
boughs, exposed to the rains and frosts of Winter. 



Report of Rev. H. W. GUTHRIE on the condition of the Freed People in 

Camp Nelson, Kentucky. 

For the satisfaction of the officers and friends of the Freedmens Aid Com- 
mission, under whose direction I now labor, I submit the following statement 
with regard to the colored women and children at present — Jan. 9, ISflo — col- 
lected within the military lines of Camp Nelson, Ky., having labored there 
during the past two weeks. 

I. Respecting their number and location. 

There are at this writing about five hundred women and children quartered 
in this camp, and they come in at an average of about a dozen per day. 

About two hundred of these are in barracks, a single building eighty feet by 
twenty-five; fifty are in a hospital, a small mess-house two stories high; the 
others are staying in huts of very rude construction and small size, a dozen per- 
sons sometimes crowded into a space ten feet square and from four to six feet 
high. 

II. Their condition. 

Nearly one-fifth are more or less sick, the fruits of exposure and want; and 
for tiie last five weeks they are dying at an average of about two per day; the 
deaths are for the most part among the children. 

One family of a mother and three children have all died; the would-be mas- 
ter meantime came to search for and claim them. 

In another instance, a motJier died leaving five small children, two of which 
have since died. 

The immediate assignable cause of much fatal sickness is their ejection from 
camp in pursuance of an order issued November 22, 18G4, by Brig.-Gcu. S. S. Fry 
Post Commandant. 

They had previously come here for protection by the Government from their 
ruthless owners, who were enraged on account of the enlistment of their fathers, 
husbands, sons, and brothers in the United States service. Many had by this 
time provided themselves with comfortable huts and some with Winter pro- 
visions. These huts were summarily torn down, their bedding and provisions 
exposed and mostly destroyed, and the people themselves turned out of doors 
and out of camp to shift for themselves during the severities of the Winter then 
upon them; suffering, sickness, and death are the consequences. The order of 
Gen. Fry was rescinded by Gen. Burbridge on Nov. 27, 18G4, and the poor and 
wretched creatures were allowed to return, but only to filthy, unfurnisiied bar- 
racks, and the huts of their own hasty construction, with scanty and unsuitable 
material. As for clothing, all were destitute and suffering; many almost naked, 
and with no beds or bedding. Some blankets have been issued, and some cloth- 
ing sent by tliis and other societies, and also a few shoes. An industrial de- 
partment has been inaugurated, and the women are changing soldiers' clothing 
furnished by your Society into garments for women and ciiildren. 

They manifest both a williugtiess and aptness to work. They are now in 
great need of shoes, many being entirely destitute. As fur clothing, not one in 
fifty pcrliaps liave a change of garments; nor, as for bedding, will they average 
in .'in one blanket eacli. For food, tlioy now ilraw rations from the Government. 
Buildings are also under contract and in process of erection for their belter 
accommodation — large dormitories, kitchen, laundry, workshop, and school- 
room. 



CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS, ETC. 31 



III. Whj' they are in camp. 

The general reason is bad treatment from their masters because their friends 
enlisted in the United States service. Their owners in most cases refused to 
feed, clotlie, or protect the Avomcn or children, and violently drove them off. In 
visiting their quarters, while distributing clothing and otherwise administering 
to their wants, I took the names of nearly five hundred, and noted the reasons 
for leaving their masters. I give a few specimens, for the most part quoting 
their own language, the general tenor being as above stated. One was told to 
go, and was tlireatened a hundred and fifty lashes if she did not; another was 
threatened with five hundred because she went to see her mother. One said her 
mistress drew a gun and threatened to shoot her because she befriended the 
Union cause. Many said they were treated like or worse than dogs. 

One woman, after doing man's work in the harvest field, begged a little cloth- 
ing for herself and children, was told to be off, and go to Lincoln or the devil 
just as she liked, and she said she chose to go to Lincoln; another, after doing 
man's work, was fed on buttermilk and berries. 

One said she was treated monstrously bad, cowhided, and spited because her 
husband enlisted. One was threatened death with a knife. Another was told 
to get into the road and march off with Government stock to Camp Nelson. 

One woman procured and presented a flag to the llGlh Regiment Colored In- 
fantry, in behalf of the women of Garrard county, Ky., and the rebel white 
l^eople threatened to cut her throat for doing it if she did not leave. 

One said she was beaten till her back was like a piece of meat; her children 
were cruellj^ beaten, her master saying that he would rather see them dead than 
alive. One was driven off, her master drawing a pistol threatening to blow her 
brains out if she did not go. 

Another was told, that if so fond of Yankees, to go. Another was tied, 
stripped, and whipped with a buggy trace. The master of one said that he had 
no use for women and children after the men had gone; told her to go or he would 
beat her to death. Another was kept in jail nine montiis and three weeks. 

Another's master tried to burn her to death; threw her into the fire; broke 
her adopted child's leg, causing its death — the child dying while I was in camp. 
I also saw a large scar on the woman's arm from the burn. One was knocked 
down with the tongs because she wished to protect her child from cruel treat- 
ment, aud then was beaten cruelly because she could not stop the blood running 
from the freshly-cut gash made by the tongs. 

Such are some of the statements made by the women themselves. I have 
noted many others, but these are enough to show the animus that prompted the 
masters to the exercise of cruelty, and show why these women and children 
came within the military lines of our Government. Some came to save them- 
selves from tlie auction-block aud cotton planter, some to gain the boon of 
freedom. 

In almost every case, it plainly appears that hatred to the United States 
Government caused these rebel masters to wreak their vengeance upon these 
helpless women and children. 

Of about two hundred women whose names I took, about one hundred and 
seventy-five have husbands in the United States service; the others liave fathers, 
brothers, or sons; one woman had five brothers in the Union army; another one 
had five sons in it. 

But not to be further tedious, I close with two remarks: 

1. These suffering poor deserve the sympathy, prayers, and aid of all Cliris- 
tian and humane people, especially of tliose whose friends are saved to them at 
home by the enlistment of the colored soldier. 

2. The United States Government owes them protection and help as a just 
compensation for services rendered by their fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers. 
That God may raise them up many and powerful friends, should be the prayer 
of every patriot and Christian. 



32 WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION, 



From Chaplain JOHINT LAWHENCE, Springfield, Tennessee. 

CoRREsro.NDi.NG Secretary Freedmexs Aid Society: Dear Sir, — We have at 
this post from one hundred and tifty to two hundred Freednien, the greater por- 
tion of whom are women and children. Tlie commander of the post, Major 
George T. Armstrong, has determined to turn over to them the Menees farm, ad- 
joining Springfield, divide it into small lots, and let them make out of them what 
they can. He has made arrangements for horses and plows, but needs a lot of 
hoes and spades, and, especially, seeds of almost all kinds. Seed potatoes, onion- 
sets, cabbage-seed, beet-seed, lettuce, radish, beans, peas, etc., are indispensable. 
Can the Western Freedmen's Aid Commission furnish them? These contrabands 
are, the most of them, just escaped from their masters, and their male friends 
are nearly all in the army, or in Government service somewhere. . . . 

From M. J. COUCH, Superintendent of Freedmen, Mouth of White Kiver, 

Arkansas. 

Sir,— Will you please send me a few boxes of women's and children's cloth- 
ing and men's overcoats for this place? I have some six hundred in the Freed- 
men's camp, and some coming in every day. Many of them are very destitute 
of clothing and blankets for bedding. I have no chance to procure any thing of 
the kind. Whatever you may send me will be gladly received, promptly re- 
ceipted for, and fairly distributed among the needy and helpless. I hope to hear 
from you soon 

P. S. — Send me a quantity of assorted garden-seeds, as I wish to have gar- 
dens in tlie camp. 

From Captain T. E. HALL, Sup't of Freedmen at Camp Nelson, Ky.* 

Camp Nelson, Kentucky, Februaet 21, 1803. 

Cor. Sec. Western F. A. Com.: Dear Sir, — We have now in this camp over 
eight hundred women and children, families of coloi-ed soldiers. They have, in 
most instances, been driven from their homes by the cruelty of their masters, 
and have sought protection within our lines. The Government is providing them 
with food and shelter, but we must rely on our friends for the clothing and bed- 
ding necessary for their comfort, and which at this time is greatly needed. 
Nearly all of them were obliged to leave the greater portion of their clothing in 
leaving their homes for camp, and that worn by them from their homes, being 
poor and much worn, is fast giving out. We are fully supplied with teachers, 
and every eifort is being made to put them in as comfortable a position as possi- 
ble. I send you copies of the correspoudence in relation to the establishment of 
the "Home,'' also a plan of the buildings now in course of erection. 

We have received from your Society and other sources in the North boxes of 
clothing, which have been a great help, but which is not nearly adequate to the 
demand. We would, therefore, solicit from you a further supply of clothing and 
bedding, and also a little money to defray such incidental expenses as transport- 
ation, etc. The clothing, of course, should be adapted to the wants of women 
and children. It would be better, perhaps, to send material, as we can have it 
made up at the " Home" by the inmates, some of whom are good seamstresses. 

I feel that it is very important that this enterprise be a success in Kentucky. 
To make it such we need the aid and co-operation of all who are interested in 
freeing the slave in this State, and by education and moral instruction, pi'eparing 
them for freedom. 

Applictition.s for relief, reports, etc., .such as tlie abuvo, are received 
cvciy week. Many more interesting extracts might be published, but 
the above will serve the purposes of this Report. 



<< Kcci-ivrd tiinco tho annual meeting. 



CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS, ETC. 33 



THE WORK OF EDUCATION. 

We require monthly statistical reports from our teachers, and request 
full statements in familiar correspondence as to their work. Most of the 
following extracts are from letters written by our own teachers. 

From "WM. P. STAKTTOIT, Teacher at Gallatin, Tennessee. 

In a former letter I gave a short account of the condition of the Freedmen at 
this Post, and of tlie opening of a school for their benefit. At that date tlie 
school had only been in operation a few days, so that even an opinion as to its 
probable success woubl perhaps have been preinature. I couhl oulv state that it 
opened with a large list of scholars, that tlio number was dailj' increasing, and 
that they appeared to be learning quite rapidly. Now, after more than two 
months have passed, it gives me pleasure to be able to say that so far the success 
attending the undertaljing has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. It is 
true that we have met with grcart opposition, and that, too, from an unexpected 
source; and that the school was commenco<l in face of a threat of mobbing, house- 
burning, etc.; that in fullillment of that threat our school-house was set on fire 
and was only saved by the etforts of some colored men who chanced to discover 
it. Notwithstanding this opposition and the many discouragements that must 
necessarily attend such an enterprise, we have gone steadily forward with the 
work before us, feeling amply rewarded by the consciousness that, in some de- 
gree at least, we were aiding in the accomplishment of a great and good work. 

Our list of scholars, which at lirst numbered a little over two hundred, was 
soon increased to more than three hundred; the average attendance being about 
two hundred and fifty; a large proportion of them adults. We find this number 
affords more than enough work for five teachers. The school is divided into four 
departments, or rather four rooms, for no attempt has yet been made to grade them. 

Each day's exercises are commenced by reading a chapter in the Bible, and 
usually singing a hymn. Almost every colored person can sing, and some of 
them have remarkably fine voices. They are not ^^ scientific" by any means, but 
what they lack in science they make up in earnestness and enthusiasm. They 
have many hymns of their own; some of which seem to be a sort of miscellane- 
ous patciiwork, made up from the most striking parts of popular Methodist 
hymns; others seem to be entirely original, some of them bearing a close resem- 
blance to their manner of "shouting" on occasions of revival, with the difference 
that they have tolerably-correct meter, and usually some kind of rhyme. Tliese 
are almost always songs of rejoicing, and abound in allusions to "de river of 
Jording," "de Promised Land," "Canaan's happy shore," etc. Evidently their 
faith has never been tried by the endless disputations of "babbling schoolmen;" 
and so far from admitting such questions as whether heaven is a. place or condi- 
tion, to their imaginations it is real and palpable as the hills and vales of Ten- 
nessee. The golden streets, the crystal fountain, the angels with their starry 
crowns and glittering liarps are to them something more than the beautiful 
figures of speech which worldly wisdom has declar^l them to be. They are dis- 
tinct and living realities; the immediate surroundings of the throne — not of the 
'^Invisible," as Byron has it, but of the visible eternal presence of the Father him- 
self, with the Son sitting at liis right hand. Would it not be well if our learned 
theologians could exchange some of their cold, gloomy abstractions for the simple, 
though warm and living faith of the poor negro? 

In addition to their hymus they delight in singing patriotic Union songs, 
which they do with great spirit and energy. r>y far the most popular piece with 
them is the "John Brown" song with its thrilling chorus: 

" Glory, glory, halleluiah ; bis soul is marching on !" 

I had heard this chorus before, and thought that I could fully understand why 
it was so universally popular, but I confess that I had never realized its deeper 



34 WESTERX FREEDMEN's AID COMMISSION. 



significance till I heard it sung out in triumjilial tones by tlie united voices of 
two hundred of the same people for whom tlie old liero freely oifered up his life. 
A few years ago four colored men were condemned by a lynch court and hanged 
upon one tree in this place for the expression of "incendiary sentiments,'' or 
rather because, in the deptli of their wickedness and ingratitude,!?) they failed 
to appreciate tlie heavenly beauties of the "divine institution." The tree which 
was their gallows stands in plain view of the school-house, and so close that the 
echoes of the song are borne upon the breezes through its spreading branches. 
At such times looking on it, and thinking what a great change a few years have 
produced, I have felt like joining in that triumphant strain: 

" Glorj', glory, halleluiah ; hi8 soul is marching on !" 

Once I asked the scholars if any of them could tell any thing of the history 
of John Brown. One little fellow very promptly responded : " He was a captain 
dat went to fight widout havin men enough." Another — quite a small boy — gave 
a very correct account of the "Harper's Ferry invasion." All of them — even 
those who could tell nothing of the circumstances of his martyrdom — seemed to 
regard him as their hero; to know that he had in some way sacrificed his life in 
their behalf. 

The question, ".A.rc the negroes susceptible of a greater degree of intellectual 
development than they now exhibit?'' has long since ceased to be a question, ex- 
cept with those who are too stupid to discern a plain truth, or too stubborn to 
acknowledge it. But there are manj' persons who, forgetting the common origin 
of the human family, and accepting as etcrual truths the silly vaporings of con- 
ceited writers about the natural supremacy of the Anglo-Saxon race, honestly 
believe that though the negro is tindoubtedly a rational being, he is radically, 
hopelessly inferior to almost every other race. This may be true, but there is no 
proof of it, while there is strong presumptive evidence that the apparent inferi- 
ority may be ascribeil entirely to the force of surrounding circumstances. Those 
who assert to the contrary are confronted by the stubborn fact that throughout 
the slave States there is a large class of ivhite persons not superior either in intel- 
lectual or moral development to the most degraded class of slaves. If any one 
feels disposed to doubt this statement, let him come South and see for himself. 

There is another fact of sufhcieut significance to be worthy of some notice. 
Not only in our schools here, but in every other scliool tor freedmcn that I have 
seen or heard of in this part of the South, a large per ceniage of {he pupils 
present the appearance of having quiie a copious admixture of the purest Anglo- 
Saxon blood, ranging from mulattoes to those so white that the most practiced 
eye could scarcely discern an African taint. The natural supposition would be 
that these would manifest a decided superiority over those who are supposed to 
be more directly descended from Ham, and who should by entailment come in 
for much the larger share of that somewhat undesirable heritage known as 
" Cursed be Canaan." I have had excellent opportunity for observation upon 
this point now for nearly three mouths, and can say in all truth that if there is 
really any ditference in the mental .ability of the two classes, 1 have been unable 
to discover it. And this is not my evidence alone, but the evidence of every 
teacher of freedmen with whom I have spoken. In every school a fair propor- 
tion of the most apt scholars will be found among (hose having tlie appearance 
of being of uunii.xcd African descent. 

The members of our own school, taken all togctiicr, are making as rapid prog- 
ress as any class of white children that I ever saw. A large number are now 
reading pretty well, who were learning the alphabet two numths ago. They 
seem to feel more interest in learning than white children usually do. I suppose 
this is because they have heretofore been denied the privilege. Idlest of them 
have rcmarkalily retonlive memories, cajiable of retaining almost every thing 
they hoar. Sometimes in giving ohjcct leufDnK, 1 have purposely made useof dilli- 
cult words used in descrijilion of olijecis, (|ualitics, etc., and on (juestioning them 
Bome days afterward would almost invariably find that they could not only 
repeat the word, Itut could use it properly. 

Are they orderly in school? Not remarkably so. NVho ever knew scholars 



CORRESPONDENCB, REPORTS, ETC. 35 



that were, without great training? Thej' are very lively and good-natured, not 
by any means inclined to be rebellious or stubborn; but having had no previous 
training except in mischief, it is somewhat difficult for them to restrain their 
propensity for frolicking fun and practical jokes, such as from time immemorial 
have been the delight of school-boys and the plague of pedagogues. Most of the 
larger scholars, however, conduct themselves quite civilly, and, every thing con- 
sidered, there is not more trouble or vexation connected with government than 
in mauy schools in the North. If the teacher of freedmen feels the proper inter- 
est in his vocation, and conscientiously devotes his whole energies to its prosecu- 
tion, he will succeed, and will be amply rewarded for all his toil ami trouble. 

The teachers may continually bear in mind that the slaves have heretofore 
received no moral training whatever, but on the contrary have received from 
their chivalrous masters a thorough training in vice, so that many even of those 
who are evidently sincere in their professions of religion are accustomed to look 
upon some of the most serious breaches of moral law as errors of trifling im- 
portance. Though I am inclined to think that the well-known character of 
Topsy is but slightly exaggerated, I am compelled to say that I have not yet dis- 
covered very many Uncle Toms. But notwithstanding the fact that slavery has 
kept these people in a state of lamentable ignorance and degradation, they are 
not so low but that they can feel the need of improvement, and will gratefully 
endeavor to profit hy every effort that is made in their behalf. I am fully satis- 
fied that the world does not now afford any other field tor missionary labor 
where the call for earnest, active workers is more imperative, or where the 
reward will be more ready and sure. 

In conclusion, let me say that this is a work in which every friend of human 
progress should feel himself especially interested. Let me entreat those who 
may chance to read what I have written, not to withhold their n'eedful aid, luit 
while enjoying the bounties which Providence has graciously bestowed upon 
them, to remember the thousands who are languishing, not only for physical 
nourishment, but for intellectual and spiritual food. 

From JOSEPH M'KELVEY, Teacher at Nashville, Tenn. 

Dear Sie, — My labors among the Freedmen as teacher during the months 
of April and May were chiefly confined to the contraband camp situated one 
mile west of Nashville. The condition of the camp physically was any thing 
but a pleasant one. Many of these poor wretches lived in their tents without 
even a blanket to keep them from the ground, and having been brought up under 
brutal influence and tyranny were altogether unfitted to manage orderly house- 
hold affairs, and "make the best of the worst." In consequence of exposure 
from want of shelter, disease and dearth, in an almost pestilential degree, walked 
through the camp day and night. I visited each tent at an early day, ascertained 
the wants of the inmates, and obtained from our store the clothing necessary to 
their comfort, for which they called down upon my head a thousand times "God 
bress you, dear brudder !" "I'm exceedin'ly much obliged,'" etc. These blessings 
I transfer to the heads of the honorable Board under whose auspices I was labor- 
ing. Disease, however, continued to an alarming extent. On this account I 
accomplished very little in the way of teaching during the first two or three 
weeks. No house in which to teach, and the surgeon in charge of camp forbade 
my keeping the children out of their tents more thiui half of each day. They 
were very irregular in attendance, owing to sickness and frequent deaths; 
scarcely a morning did I go to camp on which I did not find that one or more 
had died during the night. Of course, teaching under Such circumstances was 
rather difficult. 

The little Africans met us each day, on entering the camp, with oufsfrctclicd 
arms, striving who could get the first shake of our hands. The attention given 
by them was soul-inspiring. Often remained umler the tree which constituted 
the roof of our school-house till they and we were warned to separate by the 
chilling coldness of the weather. At length obtained a tent in which I met with 
them in a more comfortable style. Their advancement was rapid. Several who 



36 WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 

did not know a letler when first met with them, by the first of June could read 
short sentences without hesitation. With singing, in which we often joined, 
they were particularly delishled. and would engage in it with an earnestness 
that far exceeded the soulless manner in which this exercise is frequently 
performed in the North. After dismissing school, which was generally about 
one o'clock, my business was to visit the tents, read and talk with the sick, in 
which exercise, I must confess, from want of such experience, I was very back- 
ward about engaging at first; but their earnestness to hear soon cured me, and 
I now reckon the hours thus spent among my "golden hours." . . . 

Prom Miss HATTIE C. DAGGETT, a Teacher at Natchez, Miss. . 

[Tlic fi)llowing li'tter shows the desire felt by the aged to learn to read and write, and illus- 
trates tli(> inii)()rtance of our niglit-schools:] 

PiEV. Mil. Wali)E\: Dear Sir, — As I am only an assistant teacher this year, 
you will receive through others a statistical report of the schools in which I am 
teaching. Yet I think it may be interesting to you to have a somewhat more 
full account of what I am doing than their short report will give you, and acting 
upon that thought will write a report — letter form — of my own. 

When I reached Natchez the 2d of November, the day-school had been in 
operation a month and the night-school only one evening. Mr. Marsh wished to 
make this night-school a large, model school, and to appoint two or three teachers 
whose especial duty it should be to teach in it, and chose Miss Wolff and myself 
as such teachers, giving us missionary work as employment during the day. 
But the Primary Department under the charge of Miss Sisson becoming larger 
than she could atteud to, we liave gone in as assistants — Miss Wolff taking chaige 
of part of the scholars during the morning, numbering from forty-five to fifty, 
and I taking charge of the same division in the afternoon. The half day remain- 
ing to each of us is generally employed in missionary work. So j'ou see we are 
not idle, though we can send to the Association no statistical report. 

I am most interested in the night-school, and it is of that I will give you 
some account. 

When the school commenced, the first of November, it numbered some twenty- 
five scholars, of whom the greater part were in A B C, one could read in the 
Fourth Header, and five or six in the First. At the end of the month we had 
registered 178 naines, with an average attendance of 120. The school is divided 
into three divisions, designated by us as Primary, Junior, and Senior. Miss 
Wolff has charge of the first, which is a class of some forty ABC scholars, I of 
the second, which includes the Primer, First and Second Reader classes, and Mr. 
Bingham of the third, which is the Fourth Header class. Mr. Bingham lias also 
a suporintendeuce over the entire school. The session is from G o'clock to 8^. 
This school is formed almost entirely of old people, there being not over half a 
dozen children, while about one-fourth are sixty and over. The progress which 
these old people have made is wonderful. Two who are seventy years old, that 
commenced witli a "a-b, abs,' the beginning of the school, have read through 
Sanders's Primer four times, and are now in the Second Ueadcr. My class that 
commenced the First Reader tiie first of Nuvember, read it through during the 
month, and the first of December were promoted to the Second Reader, Ibrming 
a class of 25, and all reading with an ease and fiuency that would put to shame 
some classes reailing in the same book I have heard in our Northern schools. Tliis 
class is also stutlyiug arithmetic and making considerable progress. 1 have also 
another class iu First Reader, which is doing well. The third week in Novem- 
ber Miss Wolff' sent to me from the Primary Department a class of 20. They 
bad none of them put the letters together in the form of words. 1 kept them 
two evenings in words of two letters, and three evenings in words of three, and 
at the end of the week there was hardly a word in two or three letters they could 
not call at sight. 'J hey aie now almost half tiirougli the Primer. Another 
class sent (Uit the week after, composed niustly of uu>n and women sixty and 
seventy years of age, are reading easily iu words of three letters. It is a touch- 



ing sight to see these old people "gettin' learuin'," as they call it, coming there 
night iiftei- night — the older ones are the most punctual in attendance — some of 
them with heads gray, and eyes so dim they are obliged to bring with them two 
pairs of spectacles, one pair to use in reading from their books, and the other to 
see the Avords and letters on the charts and blackboard; and often when I take 
the book to hear them spell, the perspiration stands in drops on their faces, in 
their anxiety to spell correctly, and_ their fearfulness lest they should forget. 
We shall soon form these older one's into a Testament class, as their chief 
desire seems to be to be able to read the Bible and the hymns from the hymn- 
book. Aunt Anne, who was once severely whipped when a slave for attempting 
to learn to read, and who was reading in the Primer in our night-school, came 
into the Sunday school three weeks ago, and listened to the repeating of the Com- 
mandments by some of the little boys. The next day she caftie to my room, and 
handing me a Bible open at the 20th chapter of Exodus, asked me to hear her read 
the Ten Commandments, saying she knew she should make mistakes, but not 
wishing me to correct them till she had finished. I heard her read them, and 
had only two corrections to make. I then asked her how she had learned to read 
them so well. She answered, "Miss Hattie, when I hoard those little boys 
say the Commandments in Sunday school yesterday, I thought I could never 
go there agin. It hurt me so to think that they could say by heart what I, an 
old woman over seventy, could not even read. Yon don't know how bad it 
hurt me. Den I said to myself, 'I'll know them too,' so I took my Bible and 
went off to the woods M'here nobody could hear me, and picked dem out, and 
now Fse so proud I can read dem.'' She has learned them since. Uncle Jerry, 
also between sixty and seventy, thinks he does not get along fast enough, and 
despairs of ever being able to read the hymns in church ; so he told me the other 
day that he was going to get some one to attend to his business for him, so he 
could go to school day-time and night too. 

AVe have taken pains to learn the history of our scholars, and in very many 
cases they have a very iutei-esting one to relate. Some have been owned by 
slave-drivei-s, and tell us that many is the negro they have been compelled to 
whip to death by their master, he meanwhile sitting by with folded hands, smok- 
ing a pipe and singing. Others have had their sons and husbands taken from 
their beds at night and hung by the roadside for trading with the Yankees, or 
wishing for freedom. Truly this evil has been hydra-headed in its nature, which 
has taken away man's freedom, making a chattel of the image of his God — tell- 
ing him he is not a man, that he has no rights above the lowing herd and grovel- 
ing swine — burying his intellect, and making him almost think he had no soul. 
And we can not be too glad that the long-promised day has dawned for this 
sufi'ering race, when darkness, ignorance, and ruin shall be dispelled by light 
and knowledge, and,they too can boast of liberty, equal rights, schools, and edu- 
cation. 

From 8 o'clock to 8.} we have a writing class, in which the whole school join, 
a few having copy-books, but the greater part copying on slates letters and words 
from the blackboard. When they can form the letters well on their slates, they 
are promoted to the copy-books, and the oldest take as much pleasure in learning 
to write as the youngest. Oral instruction is also given in geography to the 
whole school, all apparently taking interest in the exercise. We wish to make 
our school, both day and night, one of, if not the best on the river, and of course 
will keep making improvements. The school is on the increase all the time, and 
in our next report we hope to be able to give the numbers of the night-school as 
amounting to at least two hundred, if not more. 

From Miss MARY L. FOX, Teacher at Helena, Arkansas. 

Rev. .1. M. Walde>j, Cor. Sec. W. F. A. Co.m., — At the time of my last report 
I had closed school for vacation, but as Miss Moore, teacher at the Colored Orphan 
Asylum, needed rest very much I taught some for her. I have new commenced 
my own school, and have one jiundred and sixty-one scholars enrolled; average 
attendance, one hundred and three. 



38 WESTERN FREEDMEN's AID COMMISSION. 



For three weeks I taught from seven and a half to eight hours a day, but as 
Miss Baldwin returned yesterday, will hereafter teach six hours. Besides the 
number of scholars given above, I had a class of thirty-six soldiers; the same 
that we had taught during vacation; but in justice to the school, will be obliged 
to give tliem up. I am verj- sorry that there are not enough teachers to teach 
all the soldiers, as they are so very anxious to learn, and consequently make 
very rapid progress, and they probably have more leisure now than when the 
war closes. 

From Mrs. LETITIA FAUEOT, Teacher at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

Rev. J. M. Walden, — When I wrote j'ou last I was waiting for the church to 
be fitted up to teach in. It was ready on the fourth day of January. We 
went in that cold morning, and found a few children there. The house was very 
open, there being many places where tlie hand could be thrust through between 
the shackling boards which were nailed up in place of broken windows and 
doors. I first thought it impracticable to remain there; but two much-interested 
colored men were engaged trying to nail some cofiFee-sacks over open spaces 
which there were no boards to cover, and their cheerful earnestness in telling 
me how much labor they, with the aid of a soldier who had started the school in 
another church, had spent on the house, and how much they hoped I would be 
able to teach in such a place, gave me courage to take hold of the work uncom- 
jilainingly. 

The first day only sixteen scholars huddled around the two broken stoves 
which could not produce heat enough to melt the particles of snow wl)ich fell 
from the children's shoes under it; but we spent the ilay more comfortably than 
we expected to on first entering. One of the men there was a colored Baptist 
minister, wlio could read, and another a pupil of his who had come from Shelby- 
ville'to study under him for the same noble work. The tAvo men kept up good 
fires, and went to studying with an earnestness not often beheld. When they 
could write down a column of figures on the slate, and add it up. they showed a 
delight which would almost make one forget the cold, uncomfortable house. As 
tlie weather grew milder the numljer of scholars increased. We now have 
eighiy-eight. 

Teaching two and three classes in the same room at one time makes more 
noise than is agreeable in a school-room, but we accomplisli much more, and 
they learn much faster than if we heard but one class recite in the room at a 
time. The little I have been with this people assui-es me that as respects talent 
to learn they stand about on par with other children I have taught. 1 have 
never met any other childi-en so very eager to have it come their turn to read, 
or Avho could quite equal them in enduring cold and uncomfortable positions to 
have the privilege of reciting their lessons. 

From Miss LYDIA C. BECKWITH, Teacher at Blake Plantation, Louisiana. 

Rev. J. M. Walden, — AVhen I wrote you last I was at Milliken's Bend, La., 
teaching soldiers of the od Regiment, Miss. Inft. A. D., and the Freedmen around 
the camp. Since then the regiment was moved to Snyder's Bluff, about fifteen 
miles up the Yazoo River; and the camp there hardly being a suitable place for 
ladies, and there being no conveniences and but little opportunity for teaching, 
we have commenced another scliool here in Freodmen's Camp, on the Blake 
Plantation, wliich is between Sny<lcr's Blutf and VicUsburg, and about eiglit 
miles from the latter. There were about five hundred here when we came, but 
tliere are not so many now; some being employed on other jdanlations. 

There are three teachers, and we opened our scliooI with about one liundred 
and fifty; the most of tliem between the ages of six ami eighteen. Tliere has 
been a constant change in the school on account of families moving out and new 
ones coming \^\, so that between two and three hundred have learned the al]ilia- 
bct and commenced to read. By a recent change in tlie camj) our number is 
quite reduced, but the prospect is it will be increased soon. I have a class of 



COllRESPONDEXCE, llEPORTS, ETC. 39 
. . 4^ 

twenty-five tliat have learned their letters since I came, tliat can spell very 
readily in words of two and three syllables, and can read easy reading quiio 
well, and are now leariiing to write. The most of our scliolars hei-e have jmr- 
chased the Elementary Spelliiig-Book themselves, and we try to supj)ly them 
with easy readings from various sources. We have received several packages 
of the little paper, The Freedman, and We cut out the stories, and paste them on 
thick paper, and make cards of them, which assists us very much. 

AVe have Sabbath school every Sunday mcTrning, with an attendance of about 
two hundred, and we take turns in interesting and instructing them. The ex- 
ercises consist in teaching them hymns, a few verses from the Bible, telling tliem 
Bible stories, and reading appropriate and instructing stories from other books, 
and moralizing from them, etc. A portion of our time after school-hours is 
spent in visiting around in the camp, and distributing sanitary stores to the 
most needy. The cliildren as well as the people generally have improved very 
much in many respects since we came. 

Prom Miss MAKY L. KIN GSBUBY", Teacher at President's Island, Tenn. 

Rev. J. M. Walden, — . . . For two months, with the exception of one 
week spent in visiting the whole camp, and distributing clothing, the schools 
have gone on uninterruptedly and with gratifying results. AVitliout, perhaps, 
wonderful improvement in reading in my own school, I find them learning the 
hardest and most important lessons— to study and govern themselves. With 
the most discouraging prophecies as to the possibility of keeping order, I have 
succeeded in obtaining it; and, as an illustration, I mention tliat my school rises, 
class by class, at the stroke of the bell with rarely a word from me. I have 
nineteen little girls, from four to nine years of age, who are spelling from chart 
entirely; foe which purpose I am obliged to use an old cast-off chart. No. 9, 
which is too advanced for them. Please send i\Iiss Hendron and myself each a 
set of M'Guffey's modern charts; they will be of great service to us. 

I have one grown woman who just knew her letters when she came; she has 
attended school ten days, and is now reading nearly half through the First 
Reader. A class of bo^'s numbering eight, who began with the alphabet, are now 
somewhat in advance of her. In consequence of changes in the camp many of 
my scholars have been taken to other places, and some of my most promising 
ones, so that my school is now reduced to fifty-eight — quite as many little ones 
as I could teach to advantage in so small a room. 

From Miss HENRIETTA BALDWIN, Teacher at Helena, Ark. 

Rev. J. M. Walden, Cor. Sec. W. F. A. Com., — I will give you the following 
instance illustrating the progress of our scholars, not properly belonging to a 
regular statistical report. A class of three, who are not above the average in 
mental capacity, and who have had no special training, commenced school with 
a knowledge of the alphabet, but unable to spell or pronounce words of even two 
letters; knew nothing of writing; could add and subtract, but not multiply, 
small numbers, and knew few of the figures. After seventeen days' school, two 
of the class having been absent three days each, they could read with little hes- 
itation lessons in the First Reader, embracing the words "learn," "wliat,'' "les- 
sons," "exercise," and could spell correctly most of the words; could write leg- 
ibly without copy; could numerate, and one of them could write any number 
less than a thousand, and all of them could perform problems in addition, and 
repeat part of the multiplication-table. Twenty minutes daily were allotted to 
a reading and spelling lesson, and half an hour to arithmetical exercises, in 
which all the scholars joined, and which were varied to suit the different attain- 
ments of the scholars, some of whom were in advance of the class mentioned, 
while there were almost daily one or more new scholars present. Considering 
all the circumstances, is not their progress equal to that of the generality of white 
scholars ? 



40 



WESTERN FREEDMEN S AID COMMISSION 



From Miss ANNIE L. CASPER, Teacher at Murfreesboro, Tenn. 

Rev. J. M. Waldex, — . . . W^had a pleasant and interesting school. I 
have never found scholars who learned more readily than those poor little 
slaves — for many of our scholars are yet slaves. One little fellow who came to 
school but three mouths, commenced with the alphabet, and at the expiration of 
that time could read well in the TJjird Reader. One man eighty-five years old 
learned the alphabet in two days; he said, "I only want to get so I can read a 
chapter in the Bible," and in five weeks he could read the coveted chapter 
readilj'. 

Prom Miss JOSEPHINE H. HENSHAW, Teacher at President's Island, 

Tenn. 

Rev. J. M. Waldek, — 'My school numbers about forty-five regular scholars, 
twenty males and twenty-five 'females. I have a class of five women that have 
learned their letters and read very readily in words of two syllables. I have an- 
other class of twenty-five boys and girls from eight to twelve years of age, that 
are reading now, and read very well indeed; tliey did not know a letter when they 
commenced. Tlien I have a class of A B C scholars, some fifteen in it. . . The 
scholars are very fond of music, and 1 devoie one hour each day to the schools, 
teaching them such hymns and other songs as are suitable for them. I find 
these children obedient and most eager to learn, and when the weather is such 
that it is unsuitable to teach in the school-room they almost always come up to 
my room and peg to be taught. It is pleasant to teach when pupils are so ready 
to receive instruction. 



PRACTICAL RESULTS. 



We have but little space left for letters, etc., illustrating the practical 
results of emancipation, and of benevolent effort in behalf of the freed 
people; but the following will show that the indications are most hopeful : 

From ELIZA HADLEY, Teacher at Gallatin, Tenn. 

Uluslratitig the feeUng of the Scholars toward their Tiachers. 

G.VLLATIN, Tenn., 10th Mo., 12, 18G4. 

J. M. WAi.nEX, CoiiRE.=;i'ON'niNG Secretary, — . . . We passed through 
Louisville without any delay, and arrived liere on the evening of the first day 
of the month. The colored people were not looking for us till the following 
week; the}' recognized us as we were passing along, and by the time we got to 
our quarters we headed quite a traiu of the colored population; while at a dis- 
tance from the road we saw them jumping u]i and cla])]iing tlieir liands. Tliey 
had intended to welcome us in grand st^'le — had ilieir Hag. and expected to meet 
us at the depot with a procession; they also had means collected for giving us a 
grand reception dinner. After we came, they concluded they would not be 
tliwarted in their calculations, so at Sabbath school next morning they gave out 
they wore going to have a barbecue on the next Friday, and all were invited 
to be present. The day came, and the weather proved to be fine; the scholars, all 
dressed nice and clean, met in the church. Having previously appointed their 
president, captains, and lieutenants, they marched out two and two, headed bj' 
iifiy colored soldiers, lialf of tiiem armed. Their instruments of music were two 
drums and a nfe; ilie largest school-bo}' bore tlie fi.ig. There were three hundred 
and fifty iluit marclied in the procession. Tliey went to the farther edge of town 
and back to the grove where the feast was prepared. Mere we joined them. 
They called on Stanton to speak; he gave ihem a brief but very good speech. 



CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS, ETC. 41 



Captain Nicklin was then called on; he commenced by saying he saw between 
thirty and forty thousand dollars' worth of property marching a king the streets 
this morning and nobody to claim it; he then went on to show them how much 
greater responsibilities rested on them now that they were free, than when they 
lived with "old massa." After the speeches we went to dinner. Tlie i)ig and 
the lamb were roasted finely. There were, I presume, seven or eight hundred 
persons who sliared in the feast. After dinner tliey marched into town to the 
public square, where they gave three rousing cheers for the Union, and tlien 
separated for their homes. The citizens signified their disapprobation by keep- 
ing their front doors and blinds firmly closed all day. . . . 

From Chaplain RAILSBACK, Chattanooga. 

[The following letter from Chaplain Eailsback, of the Forty-fcjuith Kcgimcnt United States 
colorerl troops, remitting SlOO, contributed by these soldiers to aid in the work of relief and 
education in behalf of their people, shows how they aie beginning to comprehend the duties 
and obligations incident to tlitir new privileges;] 

Cami> Fortv-fourth V. S. C. I, Chattanooga, January 25, 18(15. 

Officers of the Western Freedmen's Aid Commission, — Please accept this 
sum of one hundred dollars as the first free-will oifering from these recently 
slaves, but now soldiers of the Government, ready for any duty. 

The members of this regiment are mostly from the Gulf States, and oif large 
plantations, and therefore less cultivated than those from Kentucky and Tennes- 
see; yet they have shown such indomitable courage and perseverance as not lo 
be excelled by any class of beings on earth. When they left, their homes and 
taskmasters they were compelled to dodge bullets by day and night, and sleep, 
when they did, upon mountain-tops, and swim the cold Winter rivers, and live 
upon roots and wild fruit. 

Eight hundred and more of this class joined tlie Union army, and were 
clothed in blue by the first of last October, when they were overtaken by a ter- 
rible misfortune of war, and carried back into a bondage that proved more 
severe and cruel than they had ever before experienced. The suifering the 
Union soldiers receive in Libby and other Southern prisons is inhuman indeed; 
but the treatment these colored soldiers say tiiey received is too brutal to relate. 
The heart sickens at the very thought of it. 

By tlie last of November over three hundred had escaped from captivity the 
second time, and rejoined their regiment; and on December 2d, after several 
hours' fighting, over one-third of this number were killed, wounded, and cap- 
tured. The other two-thirds went thi-ough the thick of the battle before Nash- 
ville witii a courage and firmness that drew the highest commendation from all 
who saw them go into the various charges. 

The regiment returned to camp here, on the lolli of this montli, with one 
hundred and three men, after a campaign of forty-eight days. Nearly all those 
captured last have made their third escape. On the 23d of January sefen frag- 
ments of companies received their first pay. Some received one month's pay 
and some more. Notwithstanding their own need, tliey are not neglectful of the 
wants of their friends. Some have wives, some mothers, some sisters, some 
children, some aunts, to whom they send tlieir money; and as many of their 
dear friends are within the rebel lines, where they can not reach them hy mail, 
they turn their sympathy toward the contraband within the Union lines. I told 
them that they could gife to the Freedmen's Aid Society, and tliey would be 
helping their own poor. Man after man said, "Chaplain, here is some for 
tliem," oifering me half they had. I told them to give what they wished so 
they did not go over one dollar; because one dollar for them would be a liberal 
and a large contribution. And as they came forward, I took their names, and 
send you a list of the same, with their most earnest desires that this, their small 
though first offering, may aid your wortliy society in her mission of love and 
mercy among the various camjjs of sufi'ering contrabands. 



42 "WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSIOX. 



From Chaplain J. E. THOMAS to President LINCOLN. 

[The following letter was sent with a tu.^timonial to President Lincoln from the Freedmen at 
Island Go, on the Anniversary of his Proclamation of Freedom.l 

IgLANU 63, Mississippi River, Javuahy 1, 1805. 
To Ills Exctlleiicy, Alruhinn Lincoln, President uf the Vnitcd St<ites : 

A few grateful Freedmen, on this anniversary of their liberty, desire to send 
to President Lincoln, as a New-Year's oft'ering, a small bale of cotton, the first 
fruit of that freedom which they owe to him. 

It has been doubted if the colored race could become self-supporting. Let one 
little colony speak for itself. When General Buford assumed command at Hel- 
ena, in September, 1863, he found the town thronged with freed negroes, in every 
stage of destitution and misery, and dying daily in large numbers. It was im- 
possible to find employment for all of them in town, ami the General determined 
to remove some of them to Island No. fJ3, thirty-five miles below Helena, to see if 
it could be made a self-supporting colony, provided he could find any one willing 
to take charge of them. He proposed to me to do so. I consented, and on the 
'JGth of November, 18t)3, embarked with about fifty for the island. 

Tliey took with them only a few tents, axes, and rations for several weeks. 
As soon as they arrived, they began to cut wood for steamboats. A company of 
colored soldiei-s was stationed on tlie island by General Buford for the protection 
of the colony, and also that passing steamboats might, without danger, supply 
themselves with wood. In about three weeks the colonists began to pay for their 
rations, their axes, and other implements of labor. In the course of six weeks 
about two hundred more were added to tlioir number. Very few of these were 
able-bodied men, capable of enlisting a.s soldiers; but cliietiy the old and feeble, 
the women and children. They worked faithfully at wood-cutting, and when the 
season for planting cotton arrived they were equally assiduous, and they have 
reaped the fruit in the successful cultivation of about thirty bales of cotton, now 
ready for the'mavket. Tliey have bought and paid for their gin-houses, machin- 
ery, ctG. Tliey have built for tliemselves and their teachers comfortable log 
houses, each with its garden attached, in which they raise vegetables, not only 
for their own use, but to sell to the steamboats. 

They also finished a substantial building, used as a church and school-house; 
a hospital, whose furniture was given by the Sanitary Society of St. Louis, and 
an infirmary, where the aged and decrej)it and young orphan children are fur- 
nished a home. With alTthis stock in land, and with tlicir cotton, they now 
consider themselves w^orth about $22,000, and their estimate has been approved 
by competent persons. They owe their success in a great measure to the con- 
stant protection and kindness of General Buford, who has always been ready to 
advise and assist tiiem. 

I miglit apologize for occupying your Excellency's time with this history, 
and also for tiie liberty we have taken in sending you lliis specimen of the will- 
ing labor of hands freed by your proclamation of two years ago, were.I not as- 
sureil tliat no one could feel more interest than yourself in any project which 
may Jielp to solve the great prublcm of the future of the colored race on this 
continent. 

From the Keport of CoL JOHN" EATON, Jr., General Superintendent of 

Freedmen. 
[We make the following extracts from the recent Report of Col. Eaton— a document prepared 
with evident care, and containing a large amount uf information in regard to the pcacticul ro.MilH 
of Emancipation in tlie Mississippi Valley :] 

CLASSIFICATION OF FREED I'KOl'LE. 

^ First, all new arrivals, and those employed as laborers in military service, as 
hospital attendants, officers' servants, employes in the Commissary and Quarter- 
Master's Doparimciiis. etc. Scco7ui, these residi-ut in cities. Freedmen supply 



CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS, ETC. 43 



by far the larger share of industrial pursuits, as barbers, hacknien, draymen, 
porters, carpenters, shoemakers, blacksmitlis, tailors, seamstresses, laundresses, 
waiters in hotels and private families, cooks, etc. Not a few of these are men of 
wealth. Many conduct enterprises of their own, either mechanical or commer- 
cial. Some are teachers. Properly connected, too, with those resident in cities, 
are employes and waiters on steamboats, and stevedores. A third and large 
class find employment as wood-choppers, on islands and at points of security 
along the river, rendering a service absolutely essential to our comnieicial and 
military operations. This supervision, at the suggestion of CSeneral Grant, at 
the outset, gave careful attention to the supply of this industi'y. Fourth, those 
who labor on plantations. These are subdivided : First, into those who are inde- 
pendent planters or gardeners; either cultivating on shares, or leasing of their 
owners or Government. Second, those who are employed by the owners of the 
lands, or the whites or blacks who lease of the Government." (Page 17.) 

" PUBLIC SPIRIT OF THE FREEDMEN. 

" A singular fact occurred in connection with the collection of the tax tem- 
porarily required by Orders G3, on the wages of the able-bodied, for the support 
of the sick and otherwise dependent. It was thought, at first, that the negroes 
would submit" to its collection with reluctance. Instead of this, however, it 
being a tax on wages, compelled the employer and employe to appear, one or 
both, before the ofHcer charged with its collection, Avho allowed no wages to go 
unpaid; and the negro soon saw in it his first recognition by Government, and, 
although it appeai-ed in the form of a burden, responded to it with alacrity, 
thousands finding in it the first assurance of any power protecting their right 
to make a bargain and hold the white man to its fulfillment. It was most inter- 
esting to watch the moral elfect of taxing them. They freely acknowledged that 
they ought to assist in bearing the burden of the poor. They felt ennobled 
when they found that the Government was calling upon them, as men, to assist 
in the process by which their natural rights were to be secured. Thousands 
thus saw, for the first time, any money reward for their services. The places 
where this tax was least rigidly collected are now farthest behind in paying the 
colored man for his services." (Page 20.) 

[Tracts of land were leased to those negroes who wished to work for themselves. Col. Thmiias, 
who is connected with Col. Eaton's Department, reports the results of these experiments at length. 
We have only space for the following extract:] 

"The people entered upon the work earnestly, laboring early and late, with 
an energy, industry, and close calculation of results that was hardly expected 
of them. Over two thousand acres were planted in cotton, corn, and vegetables, 
and steadily worked through the season. The Provost Marshal heard complaints, 
settled disputes, saw that tha rights of all were respected, the guilty punished, 
the idle made to work, and the old and sick taken care of. 

" RESULTS OF THEIR WORK. 

"About the middle of August, their cotton was in fine condition, with a good 
prospect of a thousand bales. But the army-worm visited this favored locality, 
and was as successful in spoiling this prospect as on plantations elsewhere. This 
had a discouraging eifect on the planters, as, instead of being so prosperous as 
they had imagined, they would hardly have enough to pay their bills and start 
fair next season. The colony has raised one liundred and thirty bales, and lias 
them ready for shipment. This will pay off each one's indebtedness, and leave 
him from $500 to $2,500 for his year's work. They have corn and vegetables 
enough to last them through the Winter, and keep their stock till the grass 
grows in the Spring. They have this season put up comfortable houses, and 
have many of the comforts of life around them. • They have fought the ditficulties 
of the year, and feel stronger for the eflbrts they must make for the next. They 
have learned lessons they will never forget, and their experience will be worth 
much to them hereafter." (Page 40.) 



44 



WESTERN FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. 



CONTRIBUTIONS 



Names of Coiif rilmtors reported 1>y | 
Treasurer. 

Adams, Geo. AV..Dr<,sdeii,0 S5 00 

Anderson, S.,Moiiti)elier,0 1 00 

Arnold, T. .1., " " „ 25 

Adamson, U. C, Frankfort. <) 2 00 

Avery,C.A., AVinchestur, lud 5 00 

Booth, R.W.& Co., Cincinnati, 25 00 

]!akcT, E.C., Dod^evillc, Jliiiii 1 00 

IJiitt.MWortli, Clarkson, Wilmington, 2 00 

IJhick, .Iobn,nopedale, 2 55 

Daise, -Miss, (^Proc's of Concert,) Medina, 0. C 00 

IJoggs, Rev. Jiobcrt, Cincinnati, 25 00 

Bassatt H. L 12 00 

Bowdle,' .lames ii. Roundhead, 13 25 

Brown, S. C 5 00 

Baker, Miss E., Dooley ville, Minn 1 00 

Cutter, Jamos, Shelby, 10 00 

Church, E. P 2 50 

Ci-osbv, J., Moutpelier, Ind 5 00 

Crosbv.W., " " ^0 

Collins,!). W., Ontario, 32 00 

Carver, L 1 00 

Cole, B.,Koi.ublic,0 5 00 

Cook, W. A 2 00 

Cook, Wm., Rock Island, 111 20 00 

Carver, L 2 00 

Caldwell, S, Cincinnati, 5 00 

Carter, J. E 4 70 

Church, Rev. E. P., N. E. Ind. Conf 2 00 

Caldwell, E.W., and family 3 00 

Dunlevy, Judge, Lebanon, 10 00 

Dodd, Mrs., Muddy Run 1 "0 

Day, George J., Columbus Grove 5 00 

Eversall, J., Northfield, .^ 10 00 

Field, Rev. E. 11 1 0<1 

Fra/er, James F.,Greensburg, Ind 10 Id 

Garrison, G., and family, Muddy Run 45 00 

Gordon, George, Iberia, U "- 00 

Galphin, Elisha 1 00 

Garrison, J. v.. Yellow Si>rings,0 1 00 

Gano, H.& Co., Cincinnati, O 5 00 

Groce, Mrs. HI., CireUville, 3 00 

Gray, Rev. Richard, Ciiuinnati, U 10 00 

Gibson, Rev. J. R., Frankfort, 2 00 

Hastings, Miss Agnes, Lo Roy, N". Y 5 00 

lliggiiis,(»., Montpelier, Jnd 50 

Hastin, George, Vevay, Ind 10 00 

Harker,F.C., </olumbiis,() 1 50 

Iluiiiphrey, l.uth.T, Windham, 2 00 

Huntington, llarri.t, Danville, 111 2 00 

llumidirey, Luther, Wyiidlmm, <• 2 00 

IlumphnV, Mrs.Julia I!. " " 2 OO 

llirkham, R., K n.ixvillc/rmn 1 •>« 

Hojikiiis, l..(:.,('inciMiMili,ti 10 oo 

Harrison, G. W., Ilarman. <• MO 00 

Hudson, i:eyl.)n, Cincluuati, l> 20 00 

Huniiiug, Rev. Ira /., Albany, 1 00 



Jones, ■\V.,Montpliir. Ind SO 50 

J.dinson, E., Pickereltown,0 120 00 

Jacques, Jame.s, .Sugar Ridge 1 00 

Jones, Joseph, Smithfield, 3u oO 



Krehbicl. J 

Kedzie, George, Muddy Run 

Kellogg, " " 

K-inzie, Kingston, 

Keys, J. M 

Knight, J., Ueniossville, Ky 

Knox, James, llopedale, 

Kirman, Miss Fannie, per John Kirman, 

Cincinnati, ■ 

Keys, John W., Memphis, Tenn 



Levering 

Loyal, James.. 



8 13 


10 00 


2 00 


1 00 


50 00 


10 00 


5 00 


20 00 


20 00 


5 00 


5 00 



Marsh.Pr. J. 0., Bantam 1 00 

Morris, Bishop T. A., Springfield, 10 00 

Maharrv, J.S 5 00 

Mahiu, J. C 1 "" 

Martin, John, Hamilton county, 1 00 

Murray, G. and wife, Uclphos 10 00 

M'Quown, L 1 ^^ 

Nelson, James, Wirt, Ind 4 00 

Paxton, George A., Cincinnati 13 75 

Putnam, Rev. C. M., Surrey, 8 00 

Pierson, Alexander, Dresden, 1 ^0 

Phillips, L., Montpelier, Ind 2o 

Price, Reese E., Cincinnati, fiO 00 

Paxton, J. 1)., Princeton, Ind 10 00 

I'fair, John, Cincinnati, 100 00 

Pinkham, T. E 31 °" 

Porter; M. M., Danville, Iowa o 00 

Richardson, H. W., Philadelphia, Pcnn 100 00 

Ross A Hill, Urbana. 5 00 

Runyan, ASilliam, Mu.ldy Run 3 00 

Rogers, J. M., Northli.ld, O I* ""' 

I Rawlings, J. M 1 oO 

Singleton, Robert, I'rbana, t> 5 00 

Shudle, C, Montpelier, Ind 3 00 

i Shadle, P., " " 2 00 

I Scott, S., South Salem, - "0 

I Scott, W. II., I'reston,U & "0 

1 Sutton, John, SUuitiu'lier, Ind ^ •'0 

1 Seutze, Pi'ter. ."^priiiglieM, 5 00 

Smith, John, Green tity, «) 10 0« 

; Stephens, J., Rorklield, hid 5 00 

' Stephenson, II. W, Cincinnati -1 *• 

I Stowe, George, Bracevill-s U o 00 

; Swearingeu, W. II., Highland P. 0., 3 30 

Stanton, E., Giauville, 111 8" 65 

■ Templin, William C,Frankford 20 00 

j Tibbets, Samuel, per Ceylon Hudson 2 00 

! Tibbets, Marv A., " " 1 '* 

I Tennant, A. \V., Clymer, N. Y 1 31 

I Townsend, A. N., Fredericktowu, 1 -'O 

I Tracev, K. K., Mansfield, O ■' llO 

Thornton, S. E.,Vandalia, Iowa 6 00 



CONTRIBUTIONS. 



45 



Voorhees, Jane C, Bethany, 3100 00 

Voorhees,R 2 Oil 

Woostor, Hush and Rebecca 8 00 

Whcelor, James, (iamliirr, 2 75 

Warner H.,Tontc>ganv, 2 00 

Wilson, J., Mmhly Jliin 2 00 

"Wilson, \V. P., In)Uton,U 10 00 

Wilson, Robert, Hopewell, 50 00 

Whitman, Julia, Danville, Iowa 5 00 

Work, William, ITopcdale, 3 00 

W.C., Londonderry, 5 00 

Whiton, Lewis, Wellington, 1 00 

White, R. 31., Cincinnati, 8 87 

Walker, A., Montpelier, Ind 1 00 

Wartmau, William, Cincinnati 10 00 



Young, S., Montpelier, Ind 

Collections at Places. 

Boswell, 0., per Joshua Shinn — 

March 5, ISlil SSO 22 

April 1, '■ 20 00 

June 8, " 25 00 

" 10, " 20 00 

" 21, " 20 DO 

" 21t, " 20 00 

July 20, " 20 00—214 22 

Baruesville, 0.,per Rev. G. W. Doolittle.... 12 00 

BeeehGrove, 0., per J. Q. A. Buck 9 15 

Bainbridge, 0., per Rev.D. Kingry 19 30 

Bloomingburg, 0., per same 71 35 

Batavia, 0., per same 3 15 

Bethel, 0., per same 4 15 

Barlow, per same 11 55 

Chillicothe,0., per same 51 00 

Do. per J. Q. A. Buck 4 00 

Clarksville,0., per same 6 40 

Concord, 0., per Rev. G. W. Doolittle 44 15 

Circleville, 0., per Rev.D. Kingry 45 00 

Cedron, 0., per same 6 70 

Deerfield, 0.,per J. Q. A.Buck G 55 

Felicity, 0., per Rev.D. Kingry .33 65 

Feesburg, 0., per same 17 25 

Fostoria, O.,to Tieasurer 10 00 

Frankfort, 0., to same 12 80 

Gambler 0., to same 16 00 

Glencoe, 0., to same 3 15 

Greenfield, 0., per Rev. D. Kingry 41 00 

Georgetown, 0., per same 17 07 

Good Hope, 0., per same 2 45 

Harrison, 0., per Rev. J. M.Walden 07 30 

Hillsboro.O., per Rev.D. Kingry 66 20 

Do. August 8th 134 50 

Harrisburg, 0., per J.Q.A.Buek 12 80 

Ironton, 0., per Rev.D. Kingry 119 50 

Kingston, 0., per J. Q. A. Buck 39 20 

Lynchburg, 0., per Rev. D. Kingry 4 65 

Lexington, 0., per J. Q. A. Buck 10 SO 

Leesburg,0., per same 2 25 

Lebanon, 0., per same 6 60 

Mt. Pleasant, 0.,F.O.Pinklan 37 50 

Mohawk Valley, 0., to Treasurer 12 00 

3Iarshall,0., per Rev.D. Kingry 14 25 

M'Arthur, 0, per same 39 65 

Mt. Pleasant, 0., per same 7 15 

Mt. Pleasant, 0., (S. Vest,) per same 5 00 

Monterey, 0., per same 6 65 

Moscow, 0., per same 3 60 

Morrow, 0., per J.Q.A.Buek 5 10 



Martinsville, 0., per J. Q. A.Buck S3 45 

Milford, 0, per same 7 00 

Mainesville, 0., per same 10 50 

New Plymouth, 0., per Rev. D. Kingry 11 65 

New Richmond, 0.,per same (JO 

New Boston, 0., per nnnn'. 13 75 

New Petersburg, 0., per same 7 30 

New Holland, 27 00 

New Vienna, 0., per J. Q. A. Buck 6 40 

Nashport, 0., per Rev.G. W. Doolittle 3 05 

Ripley, 0., Red Oak Church, near 53 45 

Russellville, 0., per Rev. D. Kingry 4 00 

Rocky Spring, 0., per same 10 ilO 

Red Lion, 0., per J.Q.A.Buek 12 50 



00 I South Salem, 0., per Rev. D. Kingry .38 05 

Sinking Spring, 0., per same 14 15 

Staunton, 0., per same 10 25 

South Salem, 0., per same 7 45 



Woodstock, 111., to Treasurer 23 70 

Washington C. H.,0., per Rev. D. Kingry... 27 SO 

Wilmington, 0., per same 24 16 

Winchester, 0., per same 5 20 

Williamsburg, 0., per same 18 45 

Waynesville, 0., per J.Q. A. Buck 5 15 

Wyoming, Iowa, to Treasurer 21 25 

Wayne, Ashtabula Co., O., to treasurer 7 15 

Contributions from Cliui-clies. 

Asbury M. E. Church, Cardington, $16 65 

Bethel M. E. Church, near M'Arthur, 16 00 

Clermont M. E. Church 4 60 

Colored M. E. Church, Chillicothe, 16 05 

Colored Church, New Richmond, 7 00 

Concord M. E. Church 26 25 

Congregational Church, Marii-tta, U :'>5 00 

Congregational Church, Leuo.'c, () 10 58 

Ebenezer M. E. Ch., near Mt. Pleasant, 0.. 13 25 

Evang. Zion's Ch., Cincinnati, 23 85 

Evan. Lutheran Ch., Springfield, 24 00 

Eug. Lutheran Ch., Cincinnati, 20 55 

Friends' Mo. Meeting, Vermillion Co., 111.. 31 50 

Friends' Mo. Meeting, Elkton 4 00 

Friends' Mo. Meeting, Marlboro, Mo 26 60 

Friends" Mo. Meeting, Ehvood, 111 78 45 

Friends' Mo. Meeting, Richmond, 7 50 

Fee M.E. Ch., near M'Arthur, 8 10 

Franklin M. E. Ch., Venango Co., Penn 31 65 

First Pres. Ch., Glendale, loO 00 

First Ger. Pres. Ch., Cincinnati. (.) 5 00 

First C>rth. Cong. Ch., Cincinnati, 40 20 

First and Second U. P. Ch., Cincinnati, 0.. 16 20 

Keith's Church, Athens, 4 35 

Meth.Epis. Ch.,Franklinville,Hl 31 50 

Meth.Epis.Ch., Bolivar, 82 00 

Meth. Epis. Ch.. Akmn, 3 00 

Meth. Epis. Ch., Portsmouth, 60 43 

Morris M. E. Ch., Cincinnati, 46 70 

Pres. Ch.,Storr3 Tp., Ham.Co.,0 13 75 

Pros. Ch., College Hill,0 30 00 

Pres. Ch., Portsmouth, 144 20 

Pike M.E.Ch., Highland Co., 8 55 

Pleasant Valley M.E. Ch 1 50 



Ref. Pres. Ch., Cincinnati, 

Red Oak M. K. Ch., Brown Co., , 



17 00 
53 45 



Sharon Ch., Tuscarawas Co., 15 00 

Straight Creek M. E.Ch 18 75 



46 



WESTERN FREEDMEN's AID COMMISSION. 



U. Pres.Ch., Unity, S3 50 

Union i>I. K. Ch 12 (K( 

U. Pres.Ch, Smitl» Creek, 111 22 GO 



Walnut-St. M. E. Ch., Chillicothe.O. 

June 16,1804 .S2j 00 

Nov. 28,1801 .11 00— 5G 

Walnut-.St. M.E.Ch., [ r.K:„j„„.u„ n or, 

Fir.t Pres. Church, j Chillicothe.O 20 

Webster M. E.Ch 9 

Societies, etc. 

First Cong. Ch., Cincinnati, 0. 

Mr. Bref'd's class S13 

First Pres. Ch., Circlevillc, O. 

Infant class 2 

Freedmen's Aid Soc, Greenfield, C> 80 

Freedmen's Aid Soc, Belpre, 22 

Friends' F. A. Soc, Lynn, Mass 50 

Granville public meeting 35 

Greenville farmers n 1^ 



Lockland Churches, Thanksgiving col §22 20 

Normal School, Lebanon, 100 00 



Parker's Academy, 

Presbyterian and Witness 

00 I Proceeds of sale of watch 

I Sunday school, Salem, Ind 

25 ; Scott P. 0., 0., Fast day col 

Soldiers' Aid Soc, Hastings, 

Sundry collections pur T. Kennedy 

Sundry collections per Bobert Clarke.. 



e 05 

14 00 

8 00 

2 75 
32 70 

4 00 
39 11 

7 03 



50 

00 
00 
10 I 
00 I 

00 
00 



Anonymons Contributors. 

A friend, Ciminnati 

A friend. Galena 

A friend, per .\lida liadley 

.\ friend, Delphos, 

A Methodist, per II. J. Barr 

A few friends, Richmond, Ind 

A few friend;*, JIuddy Run 



So 00 
1 00 

15 00 
1 00 
o oO 

55 

1 00 



Lane Theological Seminary 20 00 ! Two gentlemen in Camp Monroe 20 00 

Total from other sources not named above $8,753 47 



NAMES OF CONTRIBUTORS REPORTED TO THE CORRE.SPOXOIXO 

SECRET.IRY. 



Adelphi, 0. 
/. Q. A. Bud; CoUeetor. 

I{ev.Mr.nenton...Sl 00 

John Dilan 1 00 

G.Cryder 1 00 

F. Binikley 1 00 

M.M.Crain .')0 

A. II. Wilson 50 

Jacob Koch 50 

Rev. John Patterson .00 

Dr. J.Lewis 50 

Mrs. Benson 50 

Miss Culp 50 

Jliss Mary Whisle 50 
Thomas J. Floyd.. 25 

J. Larick 15 

Thomas Blnky 10 

Solomon Koeh 25 

Charles Combs 50 

Athens, 0. 

Rev. I). Kingry, Collect. 

l)r.W.BlackstoneS25 00 

Jared Maris 25 00 

M.M. Greene 10 00 

J.Perkins 00 

E.N. Nichols 1 00 

Cash 2 00 

Cash 5 00 

Cash 5 00 

A.S. Stinson 5 00 

A. W. Kin^ 1 00 

K. T. Brown 1 00 

John Brown 5 00 

Collection 28 23 

Al.llAXY, 0. 

Jlev. I). liin-jry. Colled. 

John Brown ?.5 00 

J. Cable 6 00 

Wm.t'. Lindlay.... 1 00 

L. Brown 1 00 

D.B.Dawson 50 

T. 1). M'Grath 1 (K) 

Rev. G. Caler 2 00 



Eev.L. Do Witt... .«2 00 
Irene W. Hailing.. 60 

ASHLAXD, 0. 

Ilev. J. Jt. Locke, Colled. 

Elder. 'Scott ?10 00 

J.Crull 1 00 

Wm. Wasson 1 00 

J. C. Bushnell 2 00 

John M'Gern 1 00 

A friend 1 00 

E. Ingmand 1 00 

S. G. Bushnell 1 00 

11. ft. Myers 1 00 

J. 0. Jennings 1 00 

Dr. Clark 1 00 

Mrs. Clagston .50 

D. W. Cooper 50 

ClRCr.EVILLE, O. 

(Colored M.E. Church.) 

J.Q.A. Buck, Colledor. 

Luiidnn Johnson. .81 00 
Thomas Thomas... 50 

.lohn Dickson 1 00 

Charles Irvin 50 

J. Henderson and 

wife 50 

John Bissell 50 

Josi pli Viney 25 

K. II. Irvin 25 

E. Wright.-. 25 

Solonifiii Henderson 25 

James Wright 1 00 

George Forte 25 

Georgiann Weber. 1 on 

Noah(!eorge 10 

Thomas Murray... In 

Hatty WilKon 50 

Pav<r .\. Partason 1 00 
James Lenley (boy) 5 
Noah Hudson (.b"}') ^ 

Wm. Scott (boy) 5 

Wade Mosby 60 

Mary Black 10 



Jlelinda Cozel SO 50 

Benj. Henderson.. 50 

Mary Irvin 60 

Jane Lynch 20 

Martha" Coiiply.... 1 OU 

Joseph Coener 5 

William Wicks .50 

Napoleon Nevill... 10 

William Lyon 25 

Miss Copland 10 

Colwell Brigs 25 

C. Johnson 20 

P.Heiites 00 

S.Bond 10 

DuIyJatclie .T 

Mary Hutson 25 

Ann Poutsoii 25 

A.Hostherd 10 

R. Gregory 58 

M. Bryde." 28 

Cambridge, 0. 

Rev. G. IC. DooUUle, Col. 

PerRev.Mr.MurchSS 22 
Per Rev. Mr. Sears 3 01 

CONCOED, O. 

Rei: G. II'. DoohUle, Col. 

Rev.Mr. Murch..SH 45 
Rev.B.Y.Seigfried 3 00 

Tbaskfout, 0. 

J. Q. A. Buck, Collector. 

Rev. J. R. Gibson.Sl 00 

N. B.S.>utlierd 1 00 

J. M. Jackson 60 

Granville, 0. 
Rer. G. W. Ooolittu', Col. 
Per Deacon llosp.S20 20 
PerRev..Mr.Talbotl5 75 

M. E. Church 2 50 

Welsh Church 7 79 

Mr. Johnson 2 00 



Galion, 0. 

Rev. J. R. Locke, Col. 

Hannah Horford..S0 50 

T. M. Lloyd 1 00 

Cash 1 00 

.\. C.Henry 50 

Jonathan Fellows 1 00 

J. P.Floyd 1 00 

C. L. Barlow 1 00 

J. M. White 1 00 

E.M. Vining 1 OO 

P. Dailev 50 

Wm. Wi'nsol 1 00 

N. E. Hackedom... 1 00 
Mack .\. .\rraor.... 1 00 

L.S. Young 1 00 

Bennv Straw 50 

Julius Block 1 00 

Collected by Mrs. 

Hylard 2 25 

Collected by Mrs. 

Ilermmie 1 50 

Mrs. J.C. M'Beth. 75 

F.J.Ruth 65 

T. H.B.Beale I 00 

Ci.ll.at JI.K. Ch...ll C4 
Coll. at U. B.Ch... 9 05 

lUEUIA, 0. 

Rev. J. R. Locke, CoU. 

Win. H. French. ..Si 00 

Mrs. .Matthews.... 50 

Carrie Walker 60 

E. M. Athens 2.") 

Mrs. (;. Gordon.... 2 00 

Mrs. Porter ;J5 

Mrs. Hall 2-5 

Harriet Porter 10 

Mary (,uke 1 tK) 

Ellen Ho.ss 2.'i 

Hetty Carter 2-5 

Romaine Smith.... 25 

E. Smith 50 

.\niia Nickens 1 IKl 



Hatty Jenkins Si 00 

'Lvtty Koan 50 

Mrs. Hickman 50 

Dora Williams 25 

Mrs. M'ClcIlan.... 25 

James Noble 25 

Miss M'Kee 1 oo 

Lizzie Thomson... 25 

Rev. nice .^O 

Joel Myers 1 00 

R. C. Cass 1 00 

Mary Queal 25 

Samuel M'Kee 2 00 

Emma C.Shaw 50 

Thomas Carsin 20 

Mrs. Hickman 40 

John Walker 1 00 

Coni'itteecolleet'd 3 00 

George tiray 1 00 

Thos. Hinman 1 00 

T. S. Graham 1 00 

Wm. Harrismond. 1 00 
Mary M.Taylor ... 1 00 

J. W. Ciiue 1 00 

Thos. W. Graham. 1 00 
Jane M'Kiblion.... 1 00 
Annie M'Kibbon.. 2 00 
Benjamin Busby.. 1 00 

J. Horrismond 1 00 

J. P. C. Martin...... 1 00 

J. H. Henry 1 00 

W. M'Farhuui 1 00 

James Creswell.... l oo 
Archibald Riddle.. 1 00 

(Jeorge Gordon 1 00 

B.Crane 75 

S.Moore 10 

James Brniilee 1 00 

James Anld 50 

E. Brunlee 1 00 

John Mathews 50 

T.S.Mills 50 

J.F.Crane ■ 50 

Alonzo Mills 25 

James W. Gray 50 

C.T.Linn 50 

Willie Jackson 25 

N.C. Helfrich 50 

R. Harwood 1 00 

S;imnel Anld 1 00 

Samuel Morris 1 00 

Col. by Committee 4 25 



Kentox, 0. 
Rev. J. R. Locke, Collect. 

H. Litson $5 00 

C- Dow 2 00 

J. H. Dean 1 oO 

Mrs. Dr. Phillips.. 1 00 

R. M'Connell 1 00 

00 
50 
50 
00 
00 
50 



KiNGSTO.V, 0. 

J. Q.A. B^ick, Collector. 

B. F. Thomas §2 00 

H. Bell 1 00 

D.Graham 1 00 

A. Whiston 50 

T. M'Cartney 1 00 

H. Piper 5 00 

Jolin Carmen 2 00 

John Lord 1 00 

Berry Fowler 50 

John Warewood... 1 00 
A. Lower 1 00 

C. Goth 1 00 

J. Wright 1 00 

W. H. Patrick .50 

J. Whisted 1 00 

William ^"ilson.... 50 

S.H.Wilson 60 

C. Russell 10 

C. Hale 05 

W. Woapare 25 

Ann E. Piper 5 00 

M. Murray 1 oo 

Sarah Whitsel 1 00 

Susan Cameron.... 1 00 
Collection 10 25 



James Bam 

A. Bogardens 

.\. Vorp 

R. L. Chase 

Mrs. Dr. Rogers.... 

Mrs. M'Coy 

Mr. Hoon 15 

W. Chesny 1 00 

J. C. Wilier 50 

J- May 1 00 

John Ranels 1 00 

B. Eglin 1 00 

H. C. Randolph.... 50 

Mr. Bulin 50 

Geo. Holms 50 

H. W. Fatarin 50 

Af. Lilsou 50 

J. Watt 50 

A. Banning 50 

S.Gooden 25 

Mrs. Merriman.... 2 00 

Mrs. Cary 1 oO 

Mrs. Powens 25 

Miss Holmns 1 00 

Mrs. S. Canby 50 

W. Gilmore 1 00 

J. M.Brunson 3 00 

Af. Kumear 1 00 

C. H. Gatch 1 00 

J.C. Happusett.... .50 

H.G.Harris 3 00 

Somebody 50 

John Streliugs 1 00 

L.J.Denust 1 00 

C. S. Myers 1 00 

Wra. James 1 OO 

Mrs. Dougherty... 50 

Mr. Taylor 1 00 

W. L. Walker 1 00 

Miss Merriman 1 00 

Mr. Snidecker 1 uo 

Mr. Bogardus 1 00 

Collected by ladies 9 15 



Mary L. :Morris....SO 50 

Hatinah Riley 50 

E. S. Parker 25 

J. Davis 2 50 

W. Riley 50 

C.Bent 50 

Thos. D. M'Elhany 2 OO 
xAIrs. M'Elhany 50 

Marietta 4 Habmar, 0. 
Rev. D. lungry, Collect. 
David Putnam So 00 



La Rue, 0. 

Rev. J. U. Locke, Collect. 

J.Franklin $10 00 

L-Topliff 5 00 

E. R. Finkhorn.... 5 00 
Baily* Johnson... 5 00 

Wni Lefner 5 00 

T. H. Roberts 10 Oo 

Ed. Franklin 25 

James H. Leonard 50 

A. E. Myers 25 

J. M. Little 60 

M'. C.Crebs 1 00 

Mary .-V. Disney... ,50 

C. M. Dean 20 

E. Pennrose 1 00 

H.Mills 1 00 

Roxey C. Gregg.... 1 00 

Samuel Gregg 50 

J. Myers 5 oO 

S. Powel 2 50 

E. Gillespie 2 50 

E. Myers 2 00 

P. Harder 50 

S.Cleveland 5o 

W. R. Morris 1 00 

S. Blorris 50 



Douglas Putnam. .50 00 

Wm. Finlay 10 00 

J. R. Waters 5 00 

D. P. Bosworth 5 00 

Geo. R. Woodruff.. 2 00 

<^ish 2 00 

Rev. J. N.Cameron 2 00 
Stephen Newton... 5 00 

Jas. Dunn 1 50 

W.P.Wells 2 00 

H. Donahoe 3 oO 

W. L. Ralston 5 00 

D. C. Skinner 30 00 

Manly Mose 2 00 

Samuel Shipman.. 3 00 
Mrs. S. Shipman... 2 00 

S. B. Shipman 50 

A.T.Nye 2 00 ! 

Geo. Benedict 2 00 

S. Slocomb 3 00 

W. Fischer \ 00 

R. P. James 3 oO 

W. S. Thomas 1 00 

A.R. &0.S. Darrow2 00 

C. E. (ilines 5 00 

Mr. Atkinson 50 

H. B. Shipnjan 1 00 

C. D.Battelle 5 00 

Wm. Cutler 30 00 

John Mills 10 00 

Cash 5 00 

Maria ^Voodbridgo 1 00 

G. P. Rossiter 2 00 

S. S. Knowles 2 00 

G.H.Wells 1 00 

Casli 1 00 

Thos. Henton 1 00 

Cash 1 00 

Cash 1 00 

G. M. Woodbridge 3 00 

Reman Gates 10 00 

Mrs. Spaulding.... 40 

Little girl .".... 10 

John Giles 1 oO 

W. H. Crawford... 3 00 



Mabseillks, 0. 
Rev.J.Ii. Locke, Coll. 

R. Willard SI 00 

E. Merini'-n... 50 

S. Phillips ■■■ 1 

c. Kndig ;; 

Mary Phillips.... 

C..\. Lewis 

^\ m. Thompson.... 1 
Martha Yoakum.. 1 

B. F. Kennedy 3 

Mrs. Hastle 

Mrs. Merimen. ....." 25 

Cash. 

Mrs. Frank. 



00 
50 
25 
50 
00 
00 
00 
25 



25 

30 

10 00 

2 00 



.. 25 

50 

Mrs. Philliiis 50 

Sue Atkinson 

Cash 

S.H.White. . 

John Fail 

Thomas Ihnplige.. 1 00 
MissS.A.Deraerest5 00 

M. Brown 1 oo 

J.H.Linsey 2 00 

E. Rubins 1 00 

G. Moda 1 00 

A.Yokuru .' 3 00 

0. Long or, 



25 
00 
00 
00 



Marion, 0. 
Rev. J. R. Locke, Collect. 

J. P. Smith S5 00 

Cash 50 

Mary B. Williams 50 
Mrs. L.B. Johnson 1 00 

Millie Bell 50 

Annie Geiger 50 

Mrs. M. Holmes... 50 

W. G. Turner 1 00 

H. Thomas 2 00 

Wm. C. Dennig.... 1 00 

J. F. Lindsay.. 1 00 

S. D. Bates 1 oo 

Mrs. Bouton 50 

J.(>. Emery 25 

Mrs. Lewis 50 

Mr. Widlman 50 1 

Mrs. Kent 1 00 

Collection .30 <J5 



Mrs. (i. Bower 50 

Julia Bower 

M. Leligmen 1 

G. Merimen 1 

P.Park 2 

Mrs.Lorig 1 00 

Mrs. Norton 50 

John Long 25 

Mrs. Euline 25 

N. Bowers 50 

Jas. Robinson .50 

Peter Koogle 50 

Chomp Terry 50 

John Terry 1 00 

Geo. Cary 50 

Collection 3 oo 

M'Kendree M. E. Ch., 

Cent.O.Co.nf. 

Rev. J. R. Locke, Coll. 

L. Smallej- §2 00 

J. Potter .-{ 00 

A. Clement 2 00 

A. Robinson 1 00 

M. A. Potter 1 00 

W.,I. Kmmons 2 00 

Ruth Ingman 1 00 

UO 



Robert M'Faden 

Newark, 0. 
Rev. G. W. DooliUle, Col. 
Per Rev. Mr. Bow- 
el's SIO 00 

PerRev.Mr. Talt 15 00 

" " "Sawyer 33 10 

Cash 2 00 

Putnam, 0. 
J. Q. A. Back, Collector. 

N.B. Guthrie %i 00 

Mrs. H. Stowe 2 00 

J. Guthrie 1 00 

RiCIIWOOD, 0. 
Rev. J. R. Locke, Coll. 

John L. Leni.x §5 00 

H.C. Hamelt(m.... 5 00 
^Irs.31. llamelton 5 00 

L. H. Hastings 5 00 

John Woods 5 00 

Graham* Miller.. 5 00 



48 



WESTERN FKEEDMEN S AID COMMISSION. 



Cook& JollilT..... 


.$5 00 


Miss S. E. Filler.. 


1 
.SO 25' 


MycrsA-LaiKloii. 


. .5 00 


Mrs. Paulina Bon 


d 25 


M'Millen Ilussa. 


. 5 00 


Harriet Tollman. 


20 


5 Ladies 


. 5 (10 


J. \V. Wener 


25 


Ann Jones 


. 25 
2.') 


Jacob Grost 

William Myer.... 
Cajit. W. Kolz.... 


5 
'>5 


Ida Hussa 


Mrs. ]{. \V(.,>ds... 


.50 


.51) 


Xftta Walker.... 


. 50 


Rev. W. C. Filler 


55 : 


Geo.llaniiltou.... 


. 2 00 


M. Talawn 


. .50 


Wm. Hamilton.... 


. 1 00 


Miss V. Louis 


. 50 


C. W.Kosctte 


. 1 00 


I'errj' i^hapjiell.... 


. 25 i 


Mrs.Uiadle 


. 25 


James Ballard 


. 2 00 


Sally Graliam 


. 1 (X) 


N. A. Davidson.... 


. 25 


Ka^'s 


10 


Charles Lysomd.. 
M. A. List 


10 


Collection 


. 4 00 


. 1 00 


Tabi.ton, 




J. Thomas 

Rev.A.B.Brice... 


. 1 00 
. 25 


J. Q.A. Burl; Collector. 


E. George 


. 25 


Miss L. .\. IIusoI. 


SO 25 


Rebecca M'Cune.. 


. 25 


A. K. Ballard 


. 00 


Mrs. Jane Bushford 1 00 1 



Mrs. Lucy Ellis.. ..30 50 

yinTg. Binokly 50 

Jacob Shoemaker 

and wife 5 00 

E. D.Xawntan 25 

S.Bilor 25 

W.F. Filler 25 

A. Whitsel 25 

W. Honsell 25 

K.C.Todd 25 I 

A I'riend 25 i 

J. Wilson 2 00 ' 

L.Thomas 25 

Membership. 

Rec'd at Annual Meeting. 

Bishop, S.P S2 00 

Boggs, Rev.Rob't. 2 00 



Crane, Capt S2 00 

Creager,Jonathan 2 00 

Coney, M. K 2 00 

Emery, Rev. Jos.... 2 00 

Forest, D. D 2 00 

GlasR.jw, H 2 00 

Hopkins, H.P 2 00 

Jones, G.H 2 00 

Larkin, J. F 2 50 

31'Ilvaine, Rev. C. 

P 2 00 

Owen, Mrs 2 00 

Poo, Rev. Adam.... 2 00 

Robinson, A 2 00 

Rush, Rev. R 2 00 

Reeves, Mrs.M.E. 2 00 

Sawyer, M 2 00 

Sumner, W 2 00 

Harwood.E 25 00 

Nixon, Dr. 0. W....25 00 



FORWARDED FROM GREAT BRITATX. 

Aug. 5th, by Levi Coffin from London....«l,4S2 67 : Dec.lOth,by Dr.F.Tompkins f m LondonSl,552 50 
Aug.22d, by Dr. F.Tomjikiiis Tm London 1,212 .50 Dec. 24tli, by L. Coffin fm Birmingham. l,t;.30 96 

Oct. 5tli, by Levi Coffin from London 1,010 00 ' Jan. 5tli, bvLevi Coffin from Scotland.... 1,080 .30 

Oct. lSth,by Robt. Alsopfn.ni London.. 2,083 20 ! Jan. 9th, Richard Bell from Belfast 2,1S4 65 

Nov.l'Jth, by Levi Coffin fm Edinburgh. 1,204 63 j Jan. 1 7th, by Samuel Busby from Dublin 3'u(>i 70 
Nov. 19th by Dr. F.Tom pkius f m London 5,244 00 I 



dihectioin^s f-opj, smifimeixt. 

Goods for the relief of the Freed people in the ?oi:th should be sent to the 
General Agent at Cincinnati, that they may be forwarded from this point free of 
cost through the Quarter-Master's Department. 

No goods should be sent that will not be useful. Government should not be 
taxed to transport, nor the Society to distribute, articles that are so much Avorn 
as to be of little or no service. 

All packages consigned to the General Agent for reshipment to particular 
points will be forwarded with the least possible delay. Directions, in such 
cases, should be specific, and the marks on the packages plain, and the freight 
to this point should be prepaid. 

Goods, clothing, etc., received without specific directions will be sent to our 
Distributing Agents to relieve the most needy points. 

8@°* We especially request that all packages be packed with care in strong 
boxes; that a list of the articles contained, an estimate of their value, and notice 
of shipment be sent by mail to the General Agent; and that the place from 
which they are sent be plainly marked on each jjackago, numbering them where 
more than one is sent; otherwise it is impossible for us to account correctly for 
goods received, or forward them to points to the wants of which they would be 
specially adapted. 

Direct all goods to Levi Coffi.v, General Agent, 

Western Frecdmen's Aid Commission, 97 West Sixth-Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Money should be sent by Express or Mail to 

J. F. Larkix, Treasurer, 
Western Frcedmcns Aid Commission, 25 Third-Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Letters upon the business of the Society and in regnrd to educational matters 
mfty be directed to 

Ki;v. J. M. Waldk.n, Corresponding Secrelar}'. 



1'. 0. Box ^32. 



84 94 




























,\ ft O, 


















b'° ^ ''V'^" COHC. V<^/- * * ^ 0-f\* ^ 
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ECKMAN 

NDERY INC. 

s^ DEC 93 

N. MANCHESTER, 

I Kl CM A iLin A I- ^j~ n 




(P 



